Introduction

The impact of public education is without question in the ‘public good’ domain and hence there is really no need to justify the demand for it. However, some professionals and scientists remain unconvinced about the necessity for it. This paper will lay out the benefits it holds for the scientists, categorise the target groups and identify the methods of approach for each target group and finally outline some strategies that can be adopted to achieve the educational aims.

Benefits of public education for the professionals

Contrary to belief, the professionals have more to gain from public education than the public. There are several reasons for this.

The first of these is that public education calls attention to the scientist's work. The publicity generated through this will indirectly attract the attention of the relevant agencies or bodies that disburse grants, approve programmes or determine manpower requirements. In the light of budget cutbacks, downsizing demands and rationalisation exercises that are getting commonplace, the scientists will do well to create a public alertness to stave off these calamities. Public interest usually signifies a demand for the science or the field or the department and, therefore, the authorities might think twice before taking any negative action.

Secondly, it is obvious that through public education a scientist will be able to gain fame. This is not entirely without advantage – one day at a highway toll booth, the operator recognised me and waved me off.