Probing the Use of Non-Formal Education Characteristics in Extension Activities: Case Study of Agricultural Extension Agents in Golestan Province

Regard to shortcomings of the formal education system in response to the real needs of people, the non-formal education system has become a necessity. Since the success of agricultural extension organization to receive sustainable development is associated with appropriate use of non-formal education, this study using descriptive-correlation research aimed to assess view of agricultural extension agents of Golestan province about the importance and application of characteristic of non-formal education. Using a simple random sampling method, 71 extension agents were studied. The results showed that agricultural extension agents advocate a medium importance for characteristics which are attributed to non-formal education. Although there was a significant positive correlation between the level of importance and the use of non-formal education characteristics, they were not used in accordance with the importance of non-formal education characteristics. Among the five pillars of non-formal education, “interaction orientation” has the greatest weight and “flexibility” has the minimum weight of importance. In terms of application, “skill orientation" has the highest weight and “interaction orientation” has a minimum weight. The main weaknesses of agricultural extension agents in non-formal education requirements were “writing behavioral objectives”, “knowing adult learning” and “learning to recognize the difference between formal, non-formal and informal education”. For better understanding and proper use of non-formal education, it is recommended that related learning experiences should be provided for agricultural extension agents.