ABSTRACT
This chapter defines the following terms: learning, education and schooling. Full formal learning would take place in a schoolroom (or a university lecture theatre); informal learning might take place in an antenatal class and non-formal learning would be almost incidental learning – knowledge acquired almost by chance through conversation. The chapter examines a differentiation between formal and informal education. In all Western countries, and in general in most countries, the state funds almost all schooling for young children. For most of the time people (as a society) have been concerned about raising achievement, closing the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students, increasing social mobility and, indeed, eradicating poverty; the conversations have revolved around and then focused on schooling. Increasing primary schooling requires significant investment of time, people and capital; teachers must be trained, schools must be built and resources allocated.
