2.2 Extension and Formal Education
When extension is put into action for purposes of educating rural people, it is not considered to be formal education but rather it is non-formal education. However in instances where it is taught in university settings it is considered to be formal education which can lead to the attainment of a professional certificate. Click here to refer to a table showing the difference between formal and extension education.
Usually there is confusion differentiating between extension
service and extension as a discipline. Extension is a fully fledged discipline
having its own philosophy, objectives, principles, methods and techniques. It is a branch of applied behavioural science
which looks at ways of bringing about desirable changes in human behaviour through
education and communication by using the latest science and technological
innovations. However, extension service is the art of communicating and providing
service to the users using extension principles and methods. Extension
principles and methods can be applied to various disciplines and are classified
based on the purpose for example health extension, marketing extension etc.
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This Learning Resource was Created by the Regional MSc AICM Program at the Haramaya University RDAE Department with Support of AgShare Project.