Planning for Non-formal Education

What Is Education?
The process of facilitating learning or acquiring knowledge or skills is called
education. There are different methods to get an education. Some essential
methods to get an education are teaching, training, storytelling and
research. In most of the cases, we get education under the guidance of the
educators. Anyhow, some learners can also educate themselves.
When we talk about education, we confuse it with schooling. That’s why
most of the people think that schools and colleges are the only places to
get an education. They also look for particular people like educators or
tutors to get an education. Lots of people also think that education is a
process to prepare for future living. According to John Dewey, education is
not the process to prepare for future living. Its reason is that it is a process
of living. Therefore, while getting an education, we should try to invite truth
and possibilities. We should also try to encourage and give time to
discoveries.

THREE TYPES OF EDUCATION

1. Formal education – Structured and symmetric form of learning.
To get a formal education, students have to show presence in the
class. If students fail to show presence in the class, they will not take
exams. As a result, they will fail. In the formal education system,
teachers also try to involve the parents in the teaching-learning
process. They share the progress of the students with their parents.
Parents also play their role in the learning process of their children.
2. Informal education – It occurs outside of the asymmetric curriculum.
Informal education is an essential type of education in which we get
an education outside of the structured curriculum. To get the
informal education, students don’t need to follow the structures and
levels of the formal schools. It is a natural and spontaneous way to
 get an education. In informal education, students get an education
from their experiences.
3. Non-Formal education – It occurs outside the formal school system.
The type of education that occurs outside of the formal school
system is non-formal education. The non-formal education is
different from other two types of education. We use various terms for
non-formal education. These are community education, adult
education and second-chance education. Government and private
organizations take a wide range of initiatives to provide non-formal
education in the community. For this reason, these organizations
have designed accredited courses for non-formal education. The
well-established institutions with little funding are providing non-
formal education. The main aspect of non-formal education is to
provide education to those children and young adults who can’t get
an education in the regular school system.

DepEd implements non-formal education programs through the Alternative

Learning System (ALS). Such programs contribute to adult and youth
literacy as well as education for out-of-school children. They also offer
programs on life skills, work skills, and social and cultural development.

WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM OR ALS?

It is a parallel learning system in the Philippines that provides a practical
option to the existing formal instruction. When one does not have or cannot
access formal education in schools, ALS is an alternate or substitute. ALS
includes both the non-formal and informal sources of knowledge and skills.
ALS Non-formal Education happens outside the classroom, community-
based, usually conducted at community learning centers, barangay multi-
purpose hall, libraries or at home, managed by ALS learning facilitators,
such as mobile teachers, district ALS Coordinators, instructional managers
at an agreed schedule and venue between the learners and facilitators.
What is the non-formal education?
Non-formal education refers to planned, structured programs and
processes of personal and social education for young people designed to
improve a range of skills and competences, outside the formal educational
curriculum.
Presently, Non-Formal Education is viewed as one of two
components of the Alternative Learning System, the other being
Informal Education. However, informal education is a very new
program unlike non-formal education. Therefore, the major programs
now in operation which are the Basic Literacy Program, the
Accreditation and Equivalency Program and the Indigenous Peoples
Education Program are all non-formal education interventions. These are
future Alternative Learning System activities, which include:
• National Household Survey on Functional Literacy
• Development of a Special Alternative Learning System Education
Curriculum for the Hearing Impaired
• E-Test for the Accreditation and Equivalency Program

Objectives of Non Formal Education

 Learning of basic skill i.e. reading, writing and general
mathematic
 To enable them about the handle different tools and techniques
 To make them socially and morally active towards and national
values and ideas

Examples of non-formal education

We design non-formal education courses by keeping in mind the personal
needs of the students. The most important examples of non-formal
education are given below;

 The swimming sessions for the toddlers.

  The educational courses and programs that we devise for the Boys
Scouts and Girls Guide come into non-formal education.
 The community-based sports programs also come into non-formal
education.
 All sports and fitness programs are also the best examples of non-
formal education.
 The programs and courses that are developed for professional
development also come into non-formal education.
 Computer and language courses.
 Free online courses.

Characteristics of Non Formal Education

 It is well planned and no need of any school system.
 A participatory learning system e.g., (Participatory
learning is "the body of the lesson, where learners are
involved as actively in the learning process as possible.
There is an intentional sequence of activities or learning
events that will help the learner achieve the specified
objective or desired outcome")
 It is open ended educational system e.g. , (When a child
is engaged in open-ended learning, he or she is not
bound by rules or instructions. There is no right or wrong
way. There is no set end to a project. On the other hand,
a closed learning system has parameters and rules.)
 No need for structured course and curriculum
 Age, Time and curriculum flexibility
 Involvement of both public and private sector in the
process
 It is not necessary to conduct exam on regular basis
  Credentials like certificate and awards are not necessary
to be awarded
 Self-learning is appreciated

Advantages of non-formal education

If a student gets a non-formal education, he can enjoy many benefits. The
main advantages of non-formal education are given below:

 The non-formal education system is providing a chance for the

students to earn while learning. Along with learning, students can
also become self-dependent and self-independent.
 To acquire the non-formal education, students have to do hard
work. Therefore, non-formal education is instilling habits of
hardworking in the students.
 It is the best way for the students to utilize their free time. It means
that students can learn any skill along with formal education.
 Non-formal education is providing the best chance for the students
to achieve their goals. After acquiring the non-formal education,
students can also achieve the fast-changing goals.
 It is also providing the best opportunities for the students to cover
up their deficiencies. After covering up their deficiencies, students
can also enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

Thank you and God bless you all!!!!