Non-formal education

Definition

Non-formal education entails institutionalised, intentional and planned educational activities by an education provider.The defining characteristic of non-formal education is that it is an addition, alternative and/or complement to formal education within the process of the lifelong learning of individuals. It caters to people of all ages but does not necessarily apply a continuous pathway-structure; it may be short in duration and/or low-intensity, and it is typically provided in the form of short courses, workshops or seminars. Non-formal education mostly leads to qualifications that are not recognised as formal or equivalent to formal qualifications  by the relevant national or sub-national education authorities or to no qualifications at all. Non-formal education can cover programmes contributing to adult and youth literacy and education for out-of- school children, as well as programmes on life skills, work skills, and social or cultural development.

Source(s)

Education Statistics

NEWS RELEASE: Adult Education

Related Variable(s)

Adult education

Education (formal/non-formal), cost paid for

Back to Statistical Concepts