Module 1. Basics of dairy extension education

Lesson 3

PRINCIPLES OF EXTENSION EDUCATION

3.1  Introduction

The philosophical background and existing reality suggest that extension should be treated as planned educational activity for overall development of dairy stakeholders with the use of science and technology. No extension professional can afford to treat it as a random affair. The challenge of extension professionals in rural areas calls for inclusion of participatory approaches in planning, executing and evaluating extension works. It demands sensitivity and inter-disciplinary orientation on the part of extension educators to ward off untoward effects. Before we discuss the principle of extension education, we have to understand the meaning of principle. A common definition of a Principle is a ‘fundamental truth and a settled rule of action’. Principle is a statement of policy to guide decisions and actions in a proper manner.

The extension work is based upon some working principles and the knowledge of these principles is necessary for extension personnel. Some of these principles, as related to extension education, are mentioned below:

3.1.1  Principle of people’s need and interest

Extension work must be based on the needs & interests of the people. These needs & interests differ from individual to individual, from village to village, from block to block, from state to state; therefore, there cannot be one programme for all people.

3.1.2  Principle of grass root level organisation

A group of rural people in local community should sponsor extension work. The programme should fit in with the local conditions. The aim of organising the local group is to demonstrate the value of the new practices or programmes so that more & more people would participate.

3.1.3  Principle of cultural difference

Extension work is based on the cultural background of the people with whom the work is done. Improvement can only begin from the level of the people where they are. This means that the Extension professionals has to know the level of the knowledge, & the skills of the people, methods & tools used by them, their customs, traditions, beliefs, values, etc. before starting the extension programme.

3.1.4  Principle of cultural change

Extension education starts with what the learner knows, has and thinks. With this in mind and with an attitude of respect towards clients, the extension professionals must seek to discover and understand the limitations, taboo and the cultural values related to each phase of programme so that an accepatable approach could be selected in the locality

3.1.5  Principle of cooperation and people’s participation

Extension is a co-operative venture. It is a joint democratic enterprise in which rural people co-operate with their village, block & state officials to pursue a common cause. Ultimately without the cooperation of people the work cannot be successful and desired result cannot be achieved. The first task of extension education is the cooperation of people and their participation in work. Extension helps people to help themselves. Good extension work is directed towards assisting rural families to work out their own problems rather than giving them ready-made solutions. Actual participation & experience of people in these programmes creates self-confidence in them and also they learn more by doing. People should realise that the task of extension education is their own task. Participation in extension work generates confidence among people for the work. It is not essential that all the members of the society should participate but Extension professionals should try for maximum participation of people.

3.1.6  Principle of applied science and democratic approach

Extension education is based upon democratic principles. It is based on discussions and suggestions. Discussions are held with the people on actual field conditions, so that they participate in work. Extension professionals provide practical look to the scientific inventions so that farmers can easily adopt them on their farm.

3.1.7  Principle of learning by doing

According to this principle, farmers are encouraged to learn by doing the work themselves and by participating in it. When a person does a work, he gains practical knowledge and experiences the difficulties. Extension professionals are able to understand the problems and provide proper guidance to the farmers and thus, they are able to receive proper information/feedback.

3.1.8  Principle of trained specialists

It is very difficult that extension personnel should be knowledgeable about all problems. Therefore, it is necessary that specialists should impart training to the farmers from time to time.

3.1.9  Principle of adaptability in use of extension teaching methods

People differ from each other, one group differs from another group and conditions also differ from place to place. An extension programme should be flexible, so that necessary changes can be made whenever needed, to meet the varying conditions. Extension professionals should have knowledge of extension methods so that they can select proper method according to the condition. Teaching methods should be flexible so that they can be properly applied on people according to their age groups, educational background, economic standard and gender. In extension education, two or more methods should be applied according to the principle of adaptability.

3.1.10  Principle of leadership

Extension work is based on the full utilisation of local leadership. The selection & training of local leaders to enable them to help in carrying out extension work is essential to the success of the programme. People have more faith in local leaders & they should be used to put across a new idea so that it is accepted with the least resistance.

3.1.11  Principle of whole family

Extension work will have a better chance of success if the extension professionals have a whole-family approach instead of piecemeal approach or separate & uninterested approach. Extension work is, therefore, for the whole family, i.e. for male, female and children.

3.1.12  Principle of evaluation

Extension is based upon the methods of science, and it needs constant evaluation. The effectiveness of the work is measured in terms of the changes brought about in the knowledge, skill, attitude, and adoption behaviour of the people, not merely in terms of achievement of physical targets.

3.1.13  Principle of satisfaction

The end-product of the effort of extension teaching is the satisfaction that comes to the farmer and his family members as the result of solving a problem, meeting a need, acquiring a new skill or some other changes in behaviour. Satisfaction is the key to success in extension work. A satisfied stakeholder is the best advertisement.