Formal education is a concept used to define the whole process of training and learning provided by the official educational establishments of a society. This includes schools, colleges, institutes and universities, among other schools.
This training is carried out in a methodical and planned manner and allows access to different titles or certificates recognized by the State. In general, the training process begins in pre-school, continues in initial or primary education, continues in secondary education and ends in secondary education. higher.
In formal education, students learn consciously. Source: pixabay.com
Normally, formal education follows a program designed by a state or private body, in which the bases and training objectives to be achieved are established.
For this, students must attend classes taught by professors and professors, take certain subjects, serve a certain period of time in educational establishments and take exams.
When these final tests are passed, the right to pass the diploma and advance to the next instance of training is earned.
Formal education differs from informal education, which is obtained in an unstructured way in activities of daily living, such as work, family and contact with other people.
It is also distinguished from non-formal education, which has planning and organization, but develops outside the mandatory school space.
Concept of Formal education
The concept of formal education is based on the premise that it is transmitted in official schools, recognized by government authorities.
In this sense, the Spanish teacher and pedagogue Jaume Sarramona López defines it as one that “is taught in approved teaching establishments, in a regular sequence of teaching cycles, subject to progressive curriculum guidelines and conducive to degrees and degrees”.
From a linguistic point of view, this notion is integrated by the terms “education”, which is the system through which knowledge is acquired, and “formal”, which refers to something that has formality. That is, it has an execution or a development that complies with certain requirements or parameters and implies accuracy, precision, punctuality and consequence in actions.
The objective of formal education is to prepare and train individuals so that they can be properly inserted in the community in which they live.
Thus, it is linked to social issues related to access to basic services necessary for the functioning of a population, for which citizens are trained to provide them properly.
However, its detractors usually attack it by saying that learning is based more on memorization than on understanding knowledge and on repeating imposed ideas, instead of encouraging critical thinking.
In most countries, formal basic education is compulsory.
Characteristics
One of the characteristics of formal education is that it takes place in a specific space and time. Source: pixabay.com
Formal education is characterized by being methodical and planned based on a program established by the government entities of each state. That is, it belongs to an academic and administrative model offered throughout the country.
This learning is organized into regular school cycles, in which progress is made progressively towards obtaining a diploma or certification. To do this, subjects must be accomplished, follow a specific bibliography, and perform and pass exams or practical work.
Other characteristics of formal education are the presence of a professor or teacher, in charge of transmitting knowledge and evaluating students, and this takes place in a specific space and time.
In addition, it stands out for being regulated by different ordinances and statutes – internal and external – and for being intentional, as it deliberately seeks to educate students.
Formal education is also distinguished by having deadlines and objectives that must be met and requiring discipline and perseverance to carry out activities within a delimited chronological period. This calendar is usually marked by a school or study cycle and a rest cycle, associated with summer and winter vacations.
On the other hand, the number of students per course follows a specific criterion and they learn consciously.
Examples of formal education
Primary or basic education
An example of formal education is primary or basic education. This occurs after 6 years and usually includes student literacy and elementary education.
There you learn to read, write, basic calculus and certain knowledge and cultural notions considered vital and essential. Its duration is 6 or 7 years, depending on each country.
Secondary or Secondary Education
Another case is secondary or secondary education, also known as high school. Seeks to train the student so that he can enter the higher level.
This training can be common to all students or diversified in different ways, according to the careers that will follow. Its duration is usually 5 years.
Higher, higher or higher education
Finally, higher, higher or university education is also an example of formal education. This is the last stage of the training process, in which you can acquire undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate and master’s degrees, among other possibilities.
It is taught at universities, academies and professional training institutes, which may be public or private.
