People's Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The "Folkehojskole," or Folk High School (more accurately translated as "People's College") which is Denmark's unique contribution to adult education, offer residential adult instruction. The aims of folk education are to help adults behave as independent and mature members of the community and think and speak freely. Emphasis is on cultural subjects, with some extension services offered. According to provisions of 1970 legislation, Danish folk high schools (people's colleges) are self-governing independent units and organized as nonprofit institutions. The idea of residential adult education has spread to England, the United States, and Canada. Residential institutions in developed countries have evolved in different patterns, suitable to the peculiar conditions and requirements of the country, and most offer higher education. In developing countries, popular education along the lines of Danish folk schools is desirable as a means of human resource and economic development. A type of folk school that has failed in India is the Janta College for the education of rural adults, which was intended to function as the center of leadership in villages and prepare youth for participation in development. Another type of residential institution is the Vidyapeeth of the State of Karnataka. Vidyapeeths organize 6-month courses to train village youth for good citizenship and rural leadership. Most Vidyapeeths maintain agricultural, dairy, and poultry farms and have some arrangements for craft sections. Extension services are offered. (An article on the People's College exerpted from a 1948-49 report of the University Education Commission as well as a detailed description of the Danish People's College and Danish Agricultural Education are appended. (YLB)