| Abstract [eng] |
SUMMARY Non-formal education is an important part of the education system, promoting the personal, social and professional development of students and adults and is associated with the concept of lifelong learning. Hypotheses: The involvement of non-formal education organizations in the planning and implementation of activities contributes to better organization of non-formal education. The availability of non-formal education services is higher in the city than in the district. The aim of the work: to reveal the organization of the informal education process through theoretical insights and, based on empirical research results, to identify opportunities for improving the accessibility of informal education services for different types of clients. Job objectives: 1. To analyze the theoretical aspects of non-formal education. 2. To reveal the organization of the non-formal education process, the main factors that determine the availability of services. 3. Identify the types of clients of non-formal education services. 4. Conduct qualitative and quantitative research on the availability of non-formal education services. 5. To propose options for improving the accessibility of non-formal education services. The empirical study was conducted using qualitative and quantitative research methods. Semi-structured interviews were chosen as the main qualitative research method in order to obtain deep insights and opinions of experts about the current situation of non-formal education. Quantitative research was chosen as a complementary method, allowing a more objective assessment of the attitudes of respondents – educators, pupils, TAU students – towards the accessibility and quality of non-formal education services. During the research and data collection, a total of 2 respondents from Panevėžys city and district were interviewed, who provided insights into existing problems and suggested solutions to increase the availability of services and improve the organization for different types of customers. A questionnaire survey was chosen as a quantitative research method in order to obtain statistical data on the organization and accessibility of non-formal education services. Four types of customers were identified: students living in the city and the district, and students of the University of the Third Age (TAU). The survey respondents were educators, students, and TAU students . The results of the study showed several main problem areas of non-formal education: lack of funding, limited infrastructure, challenges of human resources of educators and administration and insufficient accessibility of activities for different types of clients. It was revealed that the needs of these groups are different - educators emphasized the quality of teaching methods and organizational efficiency, students valued the diversity of activities, and TAU students emphasized social integration and opportunities to actively participate in public life. The results revealed that the effectiveness of organizing non-formal education depends on a clear strategy, resource allocation and cooperation between organizations. Qualitative analysis showed that the most important organizational factors are infrastructure development, flexible educational methods and program adaptability to different target client groups. Demographic analysis revealed that the needs of these clients are different - students valued the diversity of activities, and TAU students emphasized social integration and opportunities to actively participate in public life. |
