Education refers to the total ways or processes of human learning by which skills are developed, knowledge is acquired and attitudes and values are imbibed. Through education, people are able to acquire understanding about the world and themselves. It is important to note that education is not limited to the classroom alone. It is a continuous process of human learning which takes place every day.

 

TYPES OR FORMS OF EDUCATION

1.       Formal education                     2.  Informal education                    3.  Non-formal education

 

FORMAL EDUCATION

Formal education is the systematic training and instructions which are carried out in specially built educational institutions. Formal education is often referred to as the classroom education. It has two main forms: general education and vocational or technical education.

o   General education is aimed at providing intelligent and well informed citizens. Thus, to broaden mental development in order to enable the individual pursue any chosen career in the future.  Examples of this type of education are found in the humanities, social sciences, mathematics etc.

 

o   Vocational or technical education prepares the individual for a job. The individual is equipped with vocational or technical subjects such as engineering, medicine, architecture, electronics, law, music etc.


FEATURES OR CHARACTERISTICS OF FORMAL EDUCATION

1.       Learning is carried out in a formally or specifically built institutions such as primary and secondary schools, universities etc.

2.       The process of imparting knowledge is highly structured or well organized.

3.       It requires trained teachers.

4.       It relies on scientific teaching methods.

5.       It is also carried out under close supervision of teachers.

6.       Certificates are awarded to the people who receive formal education

 7.    Learning basically takes the form of reading, writing and arithmetic

 

INFORMAL EDUCATION

Informal education (also known as traditional education) is the process by which every individual acquire and accumulates knowledge, skills, attitudes and insight from daily experience as a result of exposure to the social environment. The individual is the initiator of the learning process.

Examples of informal education are learning to make a telephone call, operating a television, learning to ride a bicycle and many other things that people learn on daily basis without attending classes.

FEATURES OR CHARACTERISTICS OF FORMAL EDUCATION

1.       It is not well structured or organized with syllabus, classroom, timetable etc

2.       Teachers do not undergo any special training

3.       The teaching method is unscientific. It is based on real life experience, thus, it is practical.

4.       It is done unconsciously and without the aid of full-time teaching personnel

 

NON-FORMAL EDUCATION

It is the mid-way between formal and informal education. Non-formal education procedures are less tightly controlled than those of the formal system.

Examples of non-formal education includes apprenticeship in mechanics, tailoring, hairdressing and in other work involving on-job training. Others are education of farmers on the application of fertilizer, education on family planning etc

AGENCIES OF EDUCATION

1.       Home

2.       School

3.       Mass media

4.       Religious bodies

5.       Acquaintances

6.       workplaces


IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION

1.       It enables people to gain knowledge and understanding about themselves and the world around them.

2.       It assists in preserving a society’s cultural heritage by passing on cultural values to each successive generation.

3.       It provides training for people by preparing individuals for a job.

4.       It helps in the provision of job opportunities

5.       It helps in the enforcement of rules of conduct (i.e social control.)