PLATO AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION

Abstract

This study focused on Plato’s contribution to the development of education. Plato (C.427-347 BC) was a famous Greek Philosopher and a pupil to Socrates - one of the wisest men of Greece that ever lived. Plato, the Athenian was one of the most, intelligent pupils of Socrates. Plato contributed to Education through his development of the school of thought known as idealism. He developed and explained his idea of an ideal state through his book the “Republic.” It explained also his theory of education which stressed the need for mass education of all citizens. Education for him should stress individual differences and as such promote them. He founded a famous school known as ‘Academy in Athens’. The Academy was the prototype, of what we call a university today. He also stressed the need for an all-round education - physical, moral, intellectual and social. He was the first to divide education into the formal levels which we now commonly use and to assign to them appropriate ages and curricular contents. Plato also wrote lots of books that are in use today. Among his books are Republic, Symposium, Crito Euthyphron, Laws, Hippias Meno, Statesman, Apology, Protagoras and Laches.