Non-Formal Education: The Definitional Problem. Program of Studies in Non-Formal Education Discussion Papers Number 2.

Overview & Synopsis

The three essays in this discussion paper present ways of structuring the concept of non-formal education. "Toward a Contextual Definition of Non-Formal Education" isolates three primary sub-systems: organizational, human, and curricular. Within these subsets non-formal education is differentiated from formal education by a more loosely integrated structure capable of accommodating the three subsets. "Non-Formal Education: Problems and Promises" looks at institutions anthropologically and defines non-formal education as a planned instructional design using both overt and convert procedures in a more flexible environment to teach goals determined by regulated policy. Using this definition the essay discusses non-formal education's implications for development aid, its potential for achieving developmental goals, and its inherent problems. "An Operational Approach to the Definition of Non-Formal Education" reviews the following contextual elements: changing development goals, limited resources, underdeveloped populations, government and accounting agencies, formal schooling, accepted reward structures, and communications media. A pragmatic definition reflecting the needs posed by these elements is that non-formal efforts are outside the formalized, hierarchical structure of the graded school system, yet, are deliberately planned. Their "non-formality" resides in their locational and organizational aspects rather than their purposes, pedogogy, or status. (JH)