NONFORMAL, INFORMAL EDUCATION AND POVERTY REDUCTION – A ROLE FOR TVET?
ABSTRACT: Technical and
Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is considered essential to economic
development and growth, with teachers and trainers’ major role. Formal education and training have a positive
impact on reducing poverty, as promoted by the Millennium Development Goal
(MDG). However, this paper argues that
non-formal and informal education and training is an overlooked factor in
poverty reduction and economic development and that the TVET sector and its
actors are fundamental. Current
development policies and approaches need to pay greater attention to the role
of non-formal and informal education strategies in development. While TVET is
critical for economic growth and poverty reduction, operating only through
formal and structured institutional [educational] or organizational [workplace]
environments is insufficient. This paper explores the opportunities for
non-formal educational strategies in addressing the needs of the informal
economy. The paper specifically claims that teacher training must be focused
beyond preparing teachers and trainers to operate more effectively in
institutional or organizational formal learning settings. We need to engage
more actively and effectively with how non-formal and informal education and
training opportunities and approaches have the potential to enhance individual,
community and society wellbeing and prosperity.
Author: Mel Dunn
Journal Code: jppendidikangg120023
