Critique of Rousseau's Philosophy of Education in Relation to the Nigerian Educational System

Abstract

This paper critiqued Rousseau's philosophy of education in relation to the Nigerian educational system. Rousseau's philosophy of education, which is naturalist based, was examined with particular reference to its aims and syllabus. Rousseau advocated the aims of education should include developing the child's natural abilities while maintaining the limitless freedom of the child in learning. He prescribed five stages in the syllabus in order for the child to complete an educational career. These stages include Infancy, Boyhood, Pre-adolescence, Adolescence and Adulthood. The Nigerian educational system was analyzed from early childhood to university, after which the relationship between Rousseau's philosophy of education and the Nigerian educational system was explicated. Recommendations were made to reposition the Nigerian educational system for better productivity. The paper concluded that Rousseau's philosophy of education is plausible, but cannot be totally in tandem with the Nigerian educational system because of its shortcomings as discussed in its critique.