NON-FORMAL EDUCATION OF SCHOOLCHILDREN FROM PRIMARY FORMS : THE ASPECT OF ACTIVITIES' SELECTION

Today great educational prospects are ascribed to non-formal education (Neformaliojo vaikų švietimo koncepcija, 2012; Valstybinė švietimo 2013–2022 m. strategija, 2013). This sphere is gaining more and more significance not only in Lithuania but also in the European Union (9th Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Youth, 2012; Rethinking Education: Investing in Skills for Better Socio-economic Outcomes, 2012). Children's non-formal education provides opportunities for the new generation to become active members of society and to act successfully there. This form of education is particularly attractive due to the specific conditions: voluntary nature, personal initiative and self-expression. Lithuania has recently launched a new non-formal education funding model, which resulted in introduction of many innovations; therefore, it is very important to find out the latest tendencies in order to increase the efficiency of the process, which would lead to higher quality non-formal education. The aim of the research: to analyse the situation of children's non-formal education in the aspect of activities' selection, revealing the attitudes of schoolchildren in regional schools in 1-4 forms. Methods of collecting the research data: the research was carried out analysing theoretical sources and employing quantitative and qualitative research methods. The questionnaire was specially designed for this research and given to children (N=225) who attend activities of non-formal education in regional schools. This research is a part of a scientific research project “Analysis of the Situation of Children's (6–12 years) Non-formal Education in Province Schools”.