Education is necessary for everyone, it helps in the enhancement of the skills and mental abilities of human beings. It goes beyond the classrooms, schools, and colleges.

Education facilitates us to think critically and helps us to make decisions and vet our considerations.

One of the main aims of education is to bring a long-lasting positive change in human life and behavior. The truth is, if everyone was educated the right way, the world will be a better place. To be fair, education doesn’t have to be within the four walls of the classroom. Education has been divided into different forms. Each form can if not all, at least achieve a long-lasting positive change in human behavior.

In this article, the three main forms of education, FORMAL, INFORMAL, AND NON-FORMAL education will be examined. When these three forms of education are understood, individuals will understand their role in education, not thinking that education happens only in the four walls of the classroom.

FORMAL EDUCATION

Formal education takes place in the school premises, a well-structured school environment, and organization with the explicit purpose of teaching students. In a formal type of education only certified teachers and instructors are qualified to teach. Basically, formal education can be said to be a systematic way of attending a school and learning from certified teachers using fundamental and instructional skills.

 Basically, Formal education begins with the elementary school which consists of six to eight years of schooling, though this may vary. As the name implies it forms the fundamentals of education. Secondary school is the second stage of informal education, which occurs at the adolescence stage, it prepares you for a degree in the tertiary stage which is usually at a college or university.

CHARACTERISTICS OF FORMAL EDUCATION

·        Certified teachers are hired to teach the students

·        A properly designed structure is used and followed to guide students

·        Agreed and Scheduled fees are paid regularly

·        Formal education is subject-oriented which should be covered in a specific period.

·        It has a set grading system.

 

ADVANTAGES OF FORMAL EDUCATION

·        Formal education leads to a globally recognized certificate

·        There is a well-cared-for growth and development of the learners

·        The context included in the syllabus of formal education is the most basic knowledge for students.

·        Final assessments are ensured to advance the students to the next learning stage.

·        Formal education can lead to easy access to jobs

DISADVANTAGES OF FORMAL EDUCATION

·     Certificates obtained from formal education are less valued by employers currently, as they believe it is not entirely the true test of the knowledge they need.

·        The courses in formal education are comparatively expensive.

·        Due to the repetitive nature of the syllabus and the long periods brilliant students have to wait to get promoted to the next stage, they can feel bored.

INFORMAL EDUCATION

This form of learning occurs in a variety of places, such as your church, home, work, and also by reading many books from a library or book stores one can be learning informally. In this form of learning, there is often a reference person like a parent, peer, or an expert to guide the learner. For many learners, this knowledge can be how to greet, eat your food, and dress well, it also involves the learning of one’s culture.

Informal education is never restricted to the walls of the classroom, and there is no structured syllabus in this type of education, a conscious effort is required. It is a type of education you can learn without the intention to.

CHARACTERISTICS OF INFORMAL EDUCATION

·        There is no syllabus involved

·        No certified teacher is needed for informal education

·        There is no payment or fee involved in this method of learning.

·        You can learn from any source, media, family friends, pastor, etc., they all count.

·        It has no timetable or schedule.

ADVANTAGES OF INFORMAL EDUCATION

·        Informal education utilizes a variety of techniques

·        It is a less closely and time-efficient learning process

·        You can learn anywhere and anytime from your daily activity

·        You do not require a professional to learn in this form of education

DISADVANTAGES OF INFORMAL EDUCATION

·        In this type of education, the learner is prone to acquiring the wrong kind of knowledge, as they are free to learn from anyone.

·        The end result is not certified like the formal education

·        Utilized techniques may not be appropriate.

 

NON-FORMAL EDUCATION

Non-formal education involves all organized education activities that are outside the formally established system. It can work separately or within a larger activity, according to the participants or learning goals.

In non-formal education, someone who is not in school can learn literacy, basic skills, or job skills. It basically involves generic adult education, adult literacy, or college equivalence preparation. it can be referred to as a balance between formal and informal education where there is intentional and pre-planned learning but there is no set curriculum to be completed in a given time. Non-formal education can be free courses developed by an organization, fitness programs, free community classes for adults.

CHARACTERISTICS OF NON FORMAL EDUCATION

·        You can start a non-formal education at any time and age

·        Certificates and fees are not necessary, though you can be certified

·        The syllabus and timetable can be adjusted

·        The syllabus of a non-formal course usually incorporates both theoretical and practical practices.

ADVANTAGES OF NON FORMAL EDUCATION

·        Non formal education boost job placement opportunities and encourages self-employment.

·        The capacity to learn and discover on your own develops a healthy critical attitude of your surroundings, social norms, and power mechanisms.

·        Non formal education is flexible in age, curriculum, and time

·        Diplomas and certificates here does not define your talent as it is only for skill development

DISADVANTAGES OF NON FORMAL EDUCATION

·        Learners can get a piece of non-valuable information since the teachers are not professionals.

·        Some learners receive fake certificates from instructors, especially for those who offer online classes

·        No regular examination is conducted to evaluate the learner’s skill development.

WHAT’S YOUR ROLE IN EDUCATION?

Now that you have an idea of the 3 main types of education, you should understand too that all the 3 types of education discussed are important. Whichever area you find yourself as the teacher, make sure you teach having in mind that you are making the world a better place.