Contents
Preface
I. Introduction
II.
Aims and Objectives
III.
Principles of Co-operative Education
IV.
Structure of Co-operative Education
V.
Position of Co-operative Education and Training
in India
VI.
Suggestions for Improvement
VII.
Co-operative Training Institutions
VIII.
Women Co-operative Education
IX.
New Dimensions of Co-operative Education
X. Conclusion
Preface
Education and training are two basic aspects of co-operative movement. The approach to people must also be educational which can change the concepts, thinking, beliefs and behaviour of people to establish an effective co-operative society. This book is an attempt to reveal the importance of education and training in co-operatives.
Dr. K. T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental Education
I. Introduction
Education is a vital factor for growth and expansion of, cooperation as a socio-economic movement. The cooperative movement is the first and foremost educative and social movement before it can be considered as a system of business. Joining a cooperative can never be a passive act, but is an act of participation. For this it is essential that there is well informed : non-official leadership and trained personnel to manage the cooperatives.
If cooperative is to strike deep roots in the Indian soil, the members in its fold should be fully aware about the principles and practices of cooperation. One very important reason for the tardy and inadequate growth of the co-operative movement in India was that the movement was thrust upon unprepared and unreceptive minds. The sponsors of the movement did not realize that its success linked entirely on the spread of education in cooperative principles. The cooperative planning committee laid stress on cooperative education in the following words.
If the cooperative movement is to develop on a sound basis and expand in diverse directions, it is necessary that those who comprise its vast membership are made conversant with the principles and practices of cooperation. It is only that they and their representatives will be able to conduct practice of cooperation. It is only that they and their representatives will be able to conduct its affairs on well ordered lines.
A. Meaning
In India, the terms cooperative education and training are used witl1 a distinct meaning on the basis of focus needed for different target groups. The term cooperative education refers to the programme which seeks to add to the knowledge and understanding of the members and office bearers of cooperative institutions, while cooperative training implies the programmes for the training of paid employees of cooperative departments and institutions.
B. Need for cooperative education
Cooperative education is of paramount importance for the cooperative movement. First of all, the organisation and functioning of a cooperative society is a task that requires a certain amount of technical knowledge. A basic grounding in cooperative theory, knowledge of parliamentary procedures and a clear understanding of the socio-economic environment within which a cooperative society operates, are the necessary ingredients for the success of the cooperative movement.
It is universally recognized that the cooperative movement in all its facets is dependent on education and training of its members. Education and training are correlated and interdependent. Without one, the other cannot be possible. If education develops mental facilities and increases knowledge, the training chisels and levels it. If education sharpens the intellect, broadens the vision and builds up the character, the training gives a practical shape and enhances the progress of the society. Both education and training are, therefore, essentials for the proper development of any society.
II. Aims and Objectives
The main aim of the cooperative education and training is to
enable the members to understand the importance and potentiality
of cooperative action, so that they are encouraged to make greater
use of their cooperatives and, in turn, lead their support to
their institutions. It also aims are equipping the office bearers
and other functionaries of cooperatives with the techniques
and skills of managing their cooperatives effectively to increase
their serviceability. Another important aim is to develop cooperative
leadership so as to ensure continuous guidance and motivation
to the members.
The cooperative education is a slow and continuous process.
It is imparted to influence the way of thinking and is directed
to develop certain moral and social values and foster mental
and cultural qualities.
The
objectives of cooperative education are as follows.
- To create and sustain faith in the cooperative ideology.
-To impress the spirit of self-help and self-reliance among
the members.
-Creation of right type of leadership, possessing vision, foresight
and ability to lead the masses on right path.
-Education must make the members feel that they are not only
of the cooperative society but also a movement i.e. movement
of ideas, new concepts and a new organisation of human relationship.
