UPMSP Co-operative Studies: Co-operative Education, Training and Extension

Co-operative Education, Training and Extension

This domain tests how members and office-bearers are made capable of democratic control.

Education vs training vs extension

Co-operative education builds awareness of principles, rights and duties. Training develops skills for board members, managers, accountants and auditors. Extension carries the message to villages through demonstrations, field visits, meetings, youth programmes and women’s participation.

Institutions

NCUI is the national apex for co-operative education; VAMNICOM, Pune is a national management institute; State Co-operative Unions and training centres run courses. The co-operative education fund, where levied under State law, supports this work.

Worked example

A PACS has low attendance at its AGM and members do not understand the audit report. The State Co-operative Union runs a two-day member education camp and a separate board orientation on reading the balance sheet. Attendance rises and the board discusses audit paras. Reasoning: education addresses awareness; training addresses skill; both are needed.

Traps

Education is not only literacy. Training is not a one-time event. NCUI is not a bank or a regulator. Extension is not propaganda for the ruling board; it is member capacity-building.