Attacking Rural Poverty: How Nonformal Education Can Help

Abstract

Nonformal educational programs to increase the skills and productivity of farmers, artisans, craftsmen, and small entrepreneurs are examined. Using a selected sample of nonformal educational programs, analysis focuses on preplanning diagnosis, choosing an educational delivery system, costs and required resources, innovative solutions, and evaluation of programs. Well planned nonformal education is an indispensible and potent instrument of rural development. Even the poorest of countries, given the proper circumstances, should be able to mobilize the resources and human energies for considerable expansion of nonformal education in rural areas. Developing countries can forge ahead more quickly in nonformal education if given critical types of help from the outside. The implementation of nonformal educational programs requires greater integration of nonformal education programs, greater decentralization, and greater equity. External agencies could provide improved techniques, a greater supply of personnel, needed facilities, and evaluation of developing countries' agricultural knowledge systems. Numerous references.