Formal Education vs. Self-Education

Now-a-days, two terms ‘formal education and self education’ are frequently used. The ‘Formal Education’ is a class-room based education, provided by trainers (teachers). For example, universities, schools and colleges. ‘Self-Education’ does not require any school, college or university to learn. One can learn at anywhere and at anytime. Now-a-days, there’s a controversy that either self-education is good or formal education.

Arguments :

Formal education gives you the fundamentals for job, but the majority of what you learn is theory means knowledge-based. As the books which are taught to the students are of past 15 or 20 years ago and in some cases, the books are more old than it. So, this way of teaching is very terrible. We should teach our students in different way as in this way, they will only face a massive pressure on mind as well as they’ll become crammer. We need to teach our students some practical. Anyways, it is said, ‘it’s better to do something than nothing’.

Now, we move to self-education. ‘Self-Education’ is about practical experience when you actually apply knowledge. The quote ‘Knowledge is power’ was accepted for a long time and then this was shifted to ‘Applied knowledge is power’. This makes sense because knowledge without action does not accomplish anything. To make our knowledge more useful, it needs to be applied.

Self-Education is unstoppable

The one thing about formal education is that you have a set number of years for each course like if you want to become an engineer, you’ll have to study at least till 4 years continuously. But on the other hand, self-education is ongoing process because you add in the mix people, products, services, sales, processing, distribution and so on the learning never ends. You can’t go to school and get your degree in self-education because it’s the ‘School of Life’ and you’ll have to learn till death. Your education is long-life journey.

Right Choice ?

If we see the world top businesses, we’ll notice that almost 70% of CEOs and Entrepreneurs don’t have college degree like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg etc.

Advantages of Self-Education

· You can choose your own place, method and material etc.

· The fear of failing in front of people is reduced.

· You don’t have to pay anyone to teach you. All you need is just a computer and strong internet connection as well.

· There’s no time limit for this type of education.

Disadvantages of Self-Education

· Here are some common disadvantages and flaws of self-education

· No self-discipline

· Lack of flexibility

· Lack of motivation

· Lack of input from trainers

Advantages of Formal Education

· It is an active mode of learning. Students learn very quickly in the class.

· There is a good communication between students and teachers as well as with other fellows.

It is a source of building confidence in students as they actively participate in the classroom activities.

Disadvantages of Formal-Education

· The students are always dependent on teachers in any study related issue. That’s why, formal education is also called ‘spoon feeding’.

· Another major flaw of formal education is ‘favoritism’. The teachers show favoritism to some students and this develops inferiority to rest of the students. And they feel incomplete and worthless.

· Formal education is very ‘costly’. The tuition fee is very high. And poor people can’t afford it.

This is a detailed discussion on formal education as well as on self-education. So, if you really like my article, don’t forget to hit ‘clap’.

Thank You.