It is all about gaining experience and therefore we can divide Education into Three main types : 1. Formal Education 2. Informal Education 3. Non-formal Education.
All three types of education are explained in this section below.
1. Formal Education = Formal education means the structured education and training system that runs from pre- primary and primary through secondary school and on to university.
It takes place, as a rule, at general or vocational educational institution and leads to certification. Formal education is associated with schools and other educational institutions which include colleges , universities , community colleges and other educational centers which focus upon particular areas such as technology, business, management etc.
Formal Education comprises of a hierarchically structured , chronologically graded educational system functioning from primary school to the university and includes in addition general academic studies and a variety of specialized programs and courses that aim at the full time professional training and development of the individual. Organized and guided by a formal curriculum. Often guided by government at some level. Teachers often have professional training. Often results in a formal credential such as a diploma or a degree. Example- High School Diploma or College Degree. Formal learning consists of learning that occurs with in an organized and structured context ( Formal Education, in- company training) and that is designed as learning. It may lead tp formal recognition (Diploma, Certificate ). Formal learning is intentional from the learner’s perspective. Formal Education refers to teaching that happens in schools, following an official curriculum. Formal learning is mainly ” Classroom -based education “, provided by trained teachers. The place of work (classes) is organized to somehow limit possibilities of move conversations and contacts. Learner’s sit in front of teacher , who passes on information. Discipline of work consists in passive subordinating to teacher, doing tasks, reatizing commands. In formal education marks are indicators of information remembered. Is commonly based on a ” Vertical” relationship between the pupil / student and the teacher where the holder of the knowledge to the student in the form of courses and curricula. At the end of the learning pathway a written document or generally recognized diploma recognize the knowledge acquired by the learner. This is also known as formal learning which usually takes place with in the premises of the school. Formal Education refers to the basic academic knowledge that a child learns in a formal manner.
In India, the formal education system consists of five years of primary schooling , followed by three years of middle school and two years of high school. After the completion of high school, students can pursue higher education at a university or college. The student and the teacher both are aware of the facts and engage themselves in the process of education.
Examples of Formal Education :
- Learning in a classroom.
- School grading / certification, college, and university degrees.
- Planned education of different subjects having a proper syllabus acquired attending the institution.
- School subjects : Mathematics , English language and Literature ,History, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, Biology, languages, Sociology.
- University courses : History , Economics , Business analytics, Fine arts.
- Practical training : Carpentry, Plumbing, Painting , Sculpting.
2. Informal Education = Informal Education refers to a lifelong learning process, whereby each individual acquires attitudes, values, skills and knowledge from the educational influences and resources in his or her own environment and from daily experience and the educative inferences and resources in his or her environment from family and neighbors, form work and play, from the market place , the library and the mass media. Informal education is done during your day-to-day life activities. Informal Education is a general term for education that can occur outside of a traditional lecture or school based learning systems. Informal Education is that education which an individual acquires without attending any educational organisation , system or institution. Learning that goes on in daily life and can be received through daily experiences, such as from family, peer group, the media and other influences in a person’s environment. Informal education covers a vast array of learning that all people take part in, in their lives every day. Informal education is a process of lifelong learning; learning that takes place at all times, before, during and after formal education. Informal Education means education that allows students to learn by themselves according to their interests, competence, readiness and opportunities via people, experience, society, environment, media or other knowledge resources.
Example: Market place, A hotel, One’s sitting room talking with others constitute informal education , Television ,Radio and Films.
3. Non-formal Education = Non- formal education refers to education that occurs outside the formal school system. Non-formal education is often used interchanged with terms such as community education and second -chance education. Non- formal education is the education imparted outside the regular educational forum. It explains the various educational activities conducted for better and reformed growth. However, non-Formal Education comprises courses different from the institutions or any scheme allotted by government funding. Non-formal education is a method of education in which a learner is physically separate from teacher. It may be used on its own or in conduction with other form of education including face to face . In distance education learner a physically separated from the institution that sponsors the instruction.
Examples: Swimming classes for small children, Sports clubs of various kinds for all ages, Reading groups, Debating societies, Amateur choirs and Orchestras etc.