Non-formal education and community participation: An educational experience of social inclusion

Abstract

Non-formal education has managed to make visible a new way of facing the challenges of today's society. This article aims to identify positive aspects of the Viña del Mar (Chile) Community Training School and its contribution to the community development of the city's inhabitants. This qualitative research applies participant observation techniques and in-depth interviews to 30 school participants. The results of the study show that the participants highlight positive aspects of the school, considering it a participatory and inclusive educational space that develops theoretical and practical knowledge, communication between teachers, and the community. In addition, they highlight the development of citizen skills to face the challenges of the 21st century. Thus, the school contributes to the personal and social development of the city's inhabitants and to the development of community participation actions by considering their interests.