Q.Why is 'Education, Training and Information' regarded as a principle essential for the survival of the co-operative movement?

A co-operative is only as strong as the people who run and use it, so educating them is treated as a duty, not an option.

The fifth principle, Education, Training and Information, states that co-operatives provide education and training to their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively, and also inform the general public — particularly young people and opinion leaders — about the nature and benefits of co-operation.

Why it is essential for survival:

1. A co-operative depends on its people. A society is only as good as the members who use it and the people who run it. Members who do not understand co-operative values, or a committee that lacks the skills to manage, will weaken even a well-designed society. The movement therefore treats education as a duty, not an extra.
2. It works on two fronts:

• Education and training for its own people — members learn their rights, duties and the co-operative way of working; elected representatives learn to govern and lead; managers and employees learn to run the society efficiently. This is done through meetings, study circles, courses and training programmes.
• Information for the public — the society spreads awareness of co-operation among the general public, especially the young and opinion leaders, so the idea and benefits of co-operation are widely understood. …