Differences between formal informal and Non-formal education

by Yuvi - November 15, 2020

Differences between Formal education, Informal education and Non-formal education –

1. Meaning :-

Formal education –

Any teaching where there is instruction, supervision, definite aims etc. is called formal education e.g. schools, colleges, universities etc.
– It is limited to a specified period.
– It is consciously received education for which deliberate efforts are made.

Informal Education –

Education for which no formalities are observed is known as informal type of education. It is a casual type of education which is received through daily experiences and activities. .
-Here education is received by the company of friends, relatives, community etc.

Non-formal Education –

Handersons-view:- “Non formal education is far wider and more inclusive than schooling, which imparts wider experiences out of school.”

McCall’s view: “Non formal education is the entire range of learning experiences outside of the regular graded school system.”

Harbuism’s view: “Non-formal education is the only means of filling the gap between the ‘schooled’ and ‘unschooled’ population”. It is midway between both formal & informal. e.g. open school, open clinic etc..

2. Goal

Formal Education –

In this type of education, specific aims are well fixed in advance.

Informal Education –

In this type of education, there are no pre-determined aims.

Non-formal Education –

It has clear cut aims in sight.

3. Age limit

Formal Education –

It is started at a particular age, is continued and thus over the years it is completed. Start is not possible at all stages of age.

Informal Education –

There is no age limit for the start or completion of this type of education. It is never going and never ending process.

Non-formal Education –

No age limit. A person of any age group can enter in this setup and continue his studies. .

4. Result

Formal Education –

Its result is always good education because everything is pre-planned and the process of education goes on under supervision.

Informal Education –

It may result into negative learning because the leaner may acquire certain bad habits, wrong attitudes etc.

Non-formal Education –

Its result is sometimes good and sometimes not good, because it is partly formal and partly informal. .

5. Work schedule

Formal Education –

Work-schedule is fixed .

Informal Education –

No work schedule is fixed for it.

Non-formal Education –

Work-schedule is fixed.

6. Rules and regulations

Formal Education –

Rules and regulations are there. Obedience of those is mandatory for all the learners of that school.

Informal Education –

There are no rules and regulations. So there is no question of obedience of those rules and regulations.

Non-formal Education –

Sometimes rules and regulations are observed. It is based upon part time and own time table.

7. Restrictions

Formal Education –

Restricted type of freedom is given to the learners and the teacher.

Informal Education –

All freedom is given to the teachers and the learners.

Non-formal Education –

No restrictions are observed. It is self imposed or inner discipline.

8. Organizing body

Formal Education –

It is always organized type of education, some organized body is behind the establishment of the school.

Informal Education –

It is unorganized of education. There is no organized body behind or in the background.

Non-formal Education –

Here, there is an organized body behind or in the background.

9. Time bond

Formal Education –
Syllabus is completed through the formal type of education.

Informal Education –
There is no syllabus and so there is no question of completing the syllabus.

Non-formal Education –
There is a syllabus here and time period is defined to complete the syllabus.

10. Time table

Formal Education –
There is always a formal type of time table in vogue during the process of teaching-learning.

Informal Education –
No time table is fixed. Things happen out of chance or by mere luck as they say.

Non-formal Education –
In this type of education, time-table is fixed, but there not rigid, flexible time-table is there.

11. Syllabus

Formal Education –
There is prescribed syllabus always.

Informal Education –
There is no prescribed syllabus here.

Non-formal Education –
There is prescribed syllabus always.

12. Place

Formal Education –
The school is at a fixed place.

Informal Education –
Here place is not fixed to impart the education.

Non formal Education –
Here place is fixed for some time.

13. Qualification of teacher

Formal Education –
Only a qualified person can act as a teacher and his duty is to impart education.

Informal Education –
Anybody may act as a teacher in a situation. Even a student may sometimes, play the role of a teacher in some situation.

Non formal Education –
Here qualified person is required to impart education. In other hand, electronic medias are used also, to impart education.

14. Process of teaching

Formal Education –
It is artificial way of teaching-learning.

Informal Education –
It is natural type of teaching learning.

Non formal Education –
It is both natural as well as artificial for sometimes.

15. Role

Formal Education –
Conscious efforts are made both by the teacher and the learner in the process of teaching-learning.

Informal Education –
No conscious efforts are made by the teacher and the learner.

Non formal Education –
Here learner is more active than teacher. Conscious efforts are made by the both but learner is more active.

16. Means

Formal Education –
Proper means are used to achieve the goals.

Informal Education –
No proper means are used.

Non-formal Education –
Proper means are used but to some extent.

17. Mental strain

Formal Education –
It leads to mental strain.

Informal Education –
Informal education being natural does not strain the learner.

Non-formal Education –

It involves only limited mental strain. .

18. Set-up

Formal Education –
It is a formal type of set-up. Here all type of formalities are observed.

Informal Education –
Here no formalities are observed.

Non-formal Education –
It is partly formal and partly informal.

19. Entry

Formal Education –
It has fixed point of entry and exit.

Informal Education –
There is no question of entry and exit in informal education.

Non-formal Education –
It has flexible points of entry and exit, re-entry and re-exit throughout the life.