Extension Programme Planning is a process “Process” is any phenomenon which shows a continuous change in time. According to Boyle (1965) “A process is involved in which a series of actions culminate in the accomplishment of a goal”. When we label something as a process, we mean that it does have a beginning, an end, a fixed sequence of events. It is not static, at rest.
The extension programme planning process will affect actions and methods of carrying out the process. Programme planning processes can occur at any particular time and at any level of the extension system organization, may be at block, state (state plans) or national level (Five Year Plans). Planning at the block level takes place when:
Detailed plans for individual learning experiences are to be developed within a major project.
Extension programme planning is a decision-making process After the collection of facts of a particular situation, these are analyzed and judged to prioritize the needs, so that a planning model is formulated in order to decide a programme which will be implemented through the extension teaching activities.
Extension programme planning requires advance thinking For efficient planning, if we know “where we are” and “where we have to go”, we could better decide “what to do” and “how to do”. Good extension programme planning is an intellectual activity as it requires -
knowledge
imagination and
reasoning ability
Thinking in advance also involves a number of aspects such as people, their needs and interests, useful technology, educational process, analysis of situation, decision making (about what should be done), determining useful actions and projecting the desired shape of things in future.
Extension programme planning requires skill and ability of planners Planning effective extension education programmes require a number of high-level professional skills and ability of planners. The professionals need an understanding and skill in the following broad areas:
Planner involved in enquiring the farmer’s needs
Nature and role of extension education organization
Knowledge and understanding of the techniques related to the subject with which the programme is concerned.
Ability to clarify the objectives of a programme.
Skill at seeing the relationship between principles and practical aspects.
Extension programme planning is a social action process Extension programme planning involves interaction and decisions taken in the form of programme affects others. Interactions assume a type of communication between two or more people in the planning process. The extension staff and local leaders decide on the programme content for extension teaching for the coming year. In this social planning process, the scientific data is put to judgments so as to decide the change and also the appropriate methods to be used to reach these goals.
Extension programme planning is a collaborative effort Programme planning cannot be done by any one single individual; rather it is a team work as many different types of efforts are required. This involves identification, assessment and evaluation of needs, problems, resources, priorities and solutions.
Extension programme planning is a system Extension programme planning is a system as the different processes and methods involved in programme planning are inter related and linked together. It includes several sub processes, such as planning, designing, implementing, evaluation etc.
The end product of extension programme planning is an extension programme According to Vandeberg (1965), “the first and foremost purpose of any planning, is that of developing a sound, defensible and progressive course of action or plan”. In the process followed, many other benefits might accrue, such as the education of participants, but we want a plan which can and will be used.”
Programme planning is an educational process It involves teaching and learning of both the planners and rural people. It builds skill among the people in finding, analyzing, deliberating and focusing problems. Helps to develop new skills and attitudes for improving the quality of life of people.
Programme planning is a unifying and integrating process Through the process of identification of problems, fixing priorities, establishing goals and objectives, providing continuity and evaluation, people get a total picture of where they are, what they do and where they are likely to reach. All these processes are linked and united together, to achieve the objectives.
Programme planning is an evaluating process It helps to evaluate shortcomings, weaknesses, achievements and successes of a programme, so that it can be modified and implement it again.
Evaluation Team Discussing the Weaknesses and Successes of an Extension Programme
Participants