Extension Education:

🔷 Origin and Meaning

• The word ‘Extension’ is derived from the Latin roots:
  • ‘Ex’ = Out
  • ‘Tensio’ = Stretching
    ➤ Meaning: “Stretching out education beyond formal institutions.”
• Extension Education is a form of education extended to people, especially in rural areas, beyond formal educational institutions.
• Education is an integral part of extension.

🔷 Historical Development

• The term ‘Extension’ was first used in the USA, while ‘Extension Education’ was first coined in the UK.
• Objective of university extension: To provide educational opportunities to common people – (Swanson and Claar, 1984)

🔷 Nature of Extension Education

• Extension education is an applied behavioral science.
• Aims to change knowledge, attitude, skill, and behavior (KASB) of rural people.
• It is mainly a Non-Formal Education, but sometimes also includes elements of Formal Education.
• If both options (Formal and Non-Formal) are given in the exam → Mark Both
  If only one is asked, then choose → Non-Formal Education

🔷 Types of Education (Coombs and Ahmed, 1974)

🔷 Differences: Formal Education vs Extension Education

Extension Education is:

• Non-formal (mainly), and partially formal
• Applied behavioral science
• Rural and need-based
• Practical and participatory in nature

Definition and Purpose

• Extension Education is an out-of-school system of education in which adults and young people learn by doing.
• It is a two-way educational process—aimed at bringing desirable changes in the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and practices (KASP) of people, especially farmers.

• Objective: To help people help themselves by equipping them with the knowledge and motivation for self-development.
• Definition “Extension education is an educational process to provide knowledge to the rural people about the improved practices in a convincing manner and to help them to take decisions within their specific local conditions.”

🔹 Role of Agricultural Extension

• Bridges the gap between: Agricultural research institutions and Farming communities
• Achieved by establishing appropriate teaching mechanisms at various administrative levels (village, block, district, state).

🔹 Extension as Education

• Extension is a form of education, and its main goal is: To change the attitudes, behavior, and practices of the people.
• Unlike formal education, it is based on real-life problems, not textbook theory.

🔹 Need for Extension (Supe, 1987)

It is not possible for all farmers to visit research stations and obtain direct information. Hence, there is a need for an agency to:

• Interpret research findings in farmer-friendly language
• Carry farmers’ problems back to research for scientific solutions
• This critical linking role is played by the extension agency.

🔹 Key Features of Extension Education

• Non-formal, flexible, and need-based education
• Encourages learning by doing
• Focuses on practical problem-solving
• Aims for voluntary adoption of improved practices
• Based on democratic principles and people’s participation
• Uses local leaders and local resources
• Works outside the classroom—in fields, homes, and villages

Important Points

• The word ‘Extension’ is derived from which language? Latin
• Meaning of ‘Ex’ and ‘Tensio’ in Latin?  ‘Ex’ = Out, ‘Tensio’ = Stretching
• Who first used the term ‘Extension Education’? Cambridge University, UK (1873)
• In which country was the term ‘Extension’ first used? United States of America (USA)
• Which act established Agricultural Experiment Stations in the USA? Hatch Act, 1887
• Which act created the Cooperative Extension System? Smith-Lever Act, 1914
• Which commission first recommended agricultural education in India?  Famine Commission Report, 1880
• Extension education is primarily what type of education? Non-formal education
• Who proposed the three types of education—Formal, Non-formal, Informal? Coombs and Ahmed (1974)
• Agricultural extension falls under which type of education? Non-formal education
• Who said there is a need for an agency to interpret research for farmers? Supe (1987)
• Extension education is an applied branch of which science? Behavioral science
• What is the core objective of extension education? Change in knowledge, attitude, skills, and behavior (KASB)
• What is the main teaching method in extension? Learning by doing
• Extension works primarily with which section of society? Rural people and farmers
• Extension education uses which type of teaching approach? Horizontal and participatory
• Where does extension education take place? Outside formal institutions (in villages, fields, homes)
• Who said, “Extension is education to change people”? Kelsey and Hearne
• What is the focus of extension education? Problem-solving for practical life
• Who defined extension education as a process of working with rural people in order to improve their livelihoods? Leagans
• Extension works on which basic principle? Helping people to help themselves
• Extension education emphasizes which type of learning? Experiential learning
• Who is considered the father of extension education in India? Dr. K.N. Singh