Basic Principles, Philosophy, Concepts and Principles of Extension | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Extension Education

• Extension education is a continuous form of out-of-school learning designed for all segments of society to foster positive changes in their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.
• Mr. Paul Leagens, a prominent figure in Extension education, emphasizes that the ultimate goal is the comprehensive development of communities through their own initiatives, with Extension Education serving as the primary vehicle for this transformation.
• Central to Extension education is the belief that the learner, particularly the farmer, is at the core of the educational process. It operates on the fundamental principles of 'learning by doing' and 'seeing is believing'.

Stages of Learning

• Attention: The initial stage where the extension worker introduces a new method or concept to the learner, such as a farmer.
• Interest: Creating curiosity and engagement in the learner towards the subject matter.
• Conviction: Building a strong belief in the learner's mind regarding the usefulness and effectiveness of the new method.
• Desire: Stimulating a sense of eagerness and motivation in the learner to implement the new method.
• Action: Encouraging the learner to put the newfound knowledge into practice.
• Satisfaction: The final stage where the learner experiences fulfillment and contentment from applying the new method.

During these stages, the extension worker, acting as a teacher, must utilize appropriate teaching methods and tools to facilitate learning effectively. By guiding learners through these stages, they can ensure a comprehensive understanding and successful application of the knowledge imparted.

Basic Philosophy of Extension Education

• Everyone deserves a better life and should not resign to fate.
• Extension education emphasizes hard work, intelligence, and guidance for achieving a better life.
• It focuses on the development of the whole individual for total involvement and conviction.

Objectives of Extension Education

• Extension education aims for positive changes leading to improvement in rural living.
• Encourages villagers to organize self-governing units for social progress.

Principles of Extension Education

• Extension work is aimed at creating a democratic society with economic progress and social justice.
• It involves active participation of individuals working towards a common goal.

Role of Extension Worker

• The extension worker acts as a channel between the government and villagers.
• They need to be intelligent, sympathetic, alert, humble, and well-trained to be successful.

Objectives of Extension

• Development of People: Extension aims to develop individuals within communities, helping them identify and address their problems independently.
• Leadership Development: It fosters leadership qualities among individuals, assisting them in group organization for problem-solving.
• Information Dissemination: Extension shares research-based information in a way that encourages acceptance and practical application by the community.
• Feedback Loop: It ensures that researchers are informed about community issues to provide relevant solutions based on research.

Major Objectives of Extension

• Material Growth: Enhancing production and income levels.
• Educational Development: Changing perspectives and enhancing individual growth.
• Social and Cultural Progress: Fostering community development in social and cultural aspects.

Concepts of Extension

• Core Concept: Extension is fundamentally about education.
• Definition of Education: Education is the process of bringing about desired changes in knowledge, attitudes, and skills.

Changes in Behavior

• Knowledge: For instance, excessive nitrogen application causing paddy crop lodging.
• Attitude: Changing perceptions, like understanding the benefits of nightsoil compost.
• Skills: Learning practical abilities, such as preparing compost effectively.

Types of Skills

• Mental Skills: Cognitive abilities and problem-solving techniques.
• Manual Skills: Physical competencies and hands-on activities.

Example of Behavior Change

• Rat Control Program: Teaching the knowledge, attitude, and skills required for effective rat control using zinc phosphide.

Attitude Change:

• Attitudes, emotions, and feelings play a crucial role in actions that can be positive or negative for public interests or progress.
• Ways attitudes change:
  • Due to age-related changes
  • When assuming new responsibilities (e.g., student to teacher, bachelor to married)
  • Following significant status changes (financial, official status)
  • Abrupt changes due to personal or national crises (illness, death, war)
  • Rationalization to accept, modify, or ignore situations
  • Most individuals conform to group attitudes rather than maintaining independent ones.
• Attitude changes due to planned sharing:
  • Sharing in common knowledge: e.g., parents engaging with youth clubs through various activities leading to acceptance or rejection.
  • Sharing in planning: Involving individuals or groups in project planning increases understanding and responsibility.
  • Sharing in decision making: Participation in group decisions leads to assuming responsibility for implementation.

Principles of Extension Services:

• Key principles by Mildred Horton guiding extension services:
  • The individual's significance in democracy
  • The home as a fundamental unit in civilization
  • The family's role as the primary training group
  • The partnership of man and land as the foundation of permanent civilization
• Objectives of extension work:
  • Helping people achieve higher levels of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
  • Educating and training individuals to fulfill responsibilities towards God, neighbors, and themselves
  • Teaching individuals to handle responsibilities imposed by their environment
  • Working with individuals, families, and their environment to enhance living standards

Principles underlying the Philosophy of Extension

• Extension functions as an organization that collaborates with people to plan, implement, and assess programs, emphasizing working alongside individuals rather than for them.
• Extension's role is to educate and inspire individuals towards action, rather than imposing directives or providing supplies without engaging with the community.
• Extension workers act as catalysts, facilitating change and setting up environments for learning, often utilizing demonstrations to enhance understanding.
• Emphasize the importance of the actions taken by extension workers on individuals over what they do for them, focusing on empowering people to help themselves.
• Guide individuals to think independently, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills rather than prescribing specific thoughts or solutions.
• Adapt aims and objectives flexibly based on the diverse needs of individuals and communities, prioritizing a personalized approach over rigid structures.
• Efforts should be directed towards transforming individuals rather than just imparting knowledge on subjects, highlighting the role of extension workers as agents of change.
• Posess not only technical expertise but also the ability to effectively teach and inspire others, demonstrating enthusiasm for the learning process.
• Cultivate an understanding of and empathy for the people being served, working in harmony with their culture and values.
• Encourage collaboration and group work among individuals, fostering a sense of community and shared goals.
• Focus on individual development, leadership growth, and societal progress as the central objectives of extension work, promoting voluntary participation and community development.

Guiding Principles for Successful Extension Work

• Be thorough and keep your professional knowledge and skills up-to-date.
• Understand local conditions, including the social background of the people you are working with. Learn before you teach.
• Respect village appointments.
• Introduce yourself clearly during initial contacts and explain the purpose of your visit.
• Make an effort to remember each villager as an individual.
• Greet every villager you know consistently.
• Show genuine care and interest in the well-being of the villagers.
• Associate yourself with the villagers as much as possible.
• Be friendly and polite, striking a balance between being overly enthusiastic and reserved.
• Observe and listen attentively, developing good listening skills.
• Use simple and meaningful local language that villagers can easily understand.
• Avoid getting into arguments.
• Acknowledge and credit villagers for their ideas and suggestions.
• Admit when you don't know something.
• Frame discussions in terms of the villagers' interests.
• Start with addressing basic and easily achievable needs before moving on to more complex goals.
• Encourage villagers to actively participate in planning, executing, and evaluating initiatives at different levels.
• Work with local leaders and collaborate with individuals and organizations dedicated to village development.
• Stay behind the scenes and avoid giving out free goods except for your services.
• Assist villagers in obtaining necessary supplies and services.
• Avoid involvement in factions and political matters.
• Strive to extend the benefits of your work to all groups and individuals, showing concern for all sections of society.
• Maintain detailed records of your visits to the assigned villages.

Things to Avoid

• Avoid making promises of benefits that you cannot fulfill.
• Avoid criticizing or condemning villagers.
• Do not correct a colleague or reprimand a subordinate in front of villagers.
• Avoid solving villagers' problems for them; instead, empower them to find solutions themselves.
• Ensure that you complete tasks thoroughly to build the confidence of villagers.
• Avoid using any form of coercion; emphasize the educational aspect of your work.

Philosophy of Extension Education

The fundamental principle of extension education is that education has the power to enhance the intellectual capacity of individuals and groups, irrespective of their initial abilities. Education can lead to improvements in social behavior, adherence to laws, and overall living standards. Even societies considered primitive can benefit from education by adopting new customs and improving their way of life. Education has the potential to significantly alter the thought patterns of individuals, regardless of age, by presenting compelling evidence. Despite innate behavior tendencies, intellectual limitations, prejudices, and superstitions, individuals possess a remarkable capacity for change through education. Extension education leverages this transformative potential to a greater extent than any other form of education.