CONTRIBUTION OF PLATO TO PRIMARY EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION

In the last unit you learnt about the meaning and the scope of universal basic education, the definition and basic education operating of non-formal basic education, female and girl-child education in Nigeria and the roles of teachers in UBE. In this unit young are going to study about platos contribution to the education of the child, platos social stratification, education ladder, platos theses on gymnastics and music, plato on the education of the philosopher king, plato on discipline and his aim s of education.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit, you should be able to do the following:

• Explain Plato’s these of the Education of the child. 
• Describe Plato’s Social stratification. 
• Explain Plato’s education ladder. 
• Explain Plato’s Theses on Gymnastics and music. 
• Describe Plato’s Theses on the education of the philosopher king; 
• Explain Plato’s Academy. 
• Describe Plato’s aims of education. 

Education of the child

Plato, the founder of a famous school of philosophy known as the Academy, father of idealism and philosophy of education was born in Athens. He was a pupil of Socrates. Plato was interested in their problems of metaphysics, Ethics, mathematics and Epistemology. His main works are pant agoras, republic and the laws. He became a great teacher who taught Aristotle. Plato’s greatest contribution is in the area of education.

Education of the child starts from first year and ends at the time of death. Plato explained in pant agoras that mother, father, and tutor naturally commenced the training of the child. He maintained that the child, who shows sign of disobedience, should be punished no matter his age.

The child could now be sent to a teacher from whom he learned reading, music and writing (language). He, thereafter, was given the work of the great poets not only for advance reading and excellence, but also moral virtues. Plato advocated for a system of education in which the State determines and plays a major role. This demanded for the re-organization of the state into three strata each stratum placing its responsibility in the function of the state.