Plato' s Philosophy of Education And It's Relevance in India

  Plato' s Philosophy of Education And  It's  Relevance in India  :

"If the citizens are well educated they will readily see through the difficulties that best beset them and meet emergencies as they arise " - Plato

 

Plato was a great Greek philosopher born in 427 B.C in Athens . He was born in Aristocratic family . He was  very much influenced from the teachings of Socrates . As he said , " I thank God that I was born in Greek but above all that I was born in the age of Socrates ". His major work in politics  include " The Republic " , "The statesman", and " The laws" . In Republic Plato put more emphasis on establishing an "Ideal state" and to achieve this he put emphasis on education .So he   established his School called as " The Academy" and main theme of his Academy  was to establish good and just state where only wisdom and reason rules  . According to Plato the main function of education is not to given knowledge into soul ,but to bring out hidden talents in the soul by turning soul towards light .In this paper I will try to analyze the relevance of Plato' s theory of education on Indian education system  .

 

Plato' s theory of education : 

According to Rousseau " The Republic is hardly a political work at all but is the greatest work on education ever written " .

 According to Plato with good system of education everything is possible and if education is neglected ,then it doesn't matter what a state does. Plato is in favour of state controlled education system . Plato's theory of education was  the combination of education system in Athens and education system in Sparta .  In Athens  education was completely private and ,compel parents to provide education to their children , while  in Sparta , family has no control on the education of  children and whole system was managed by state . From Athens he adopted individual aspects of education that aimed that development of individual personality and from Sparta he took the centralised aspects of education which aimed at the public role and social  development of the community .  He adopted that education must be controlled by the state .

 

 

His school the Academy :

Plato established Academy in 386 B.C. for the  systematic pursue of philosophy and scientific research of ideal administration .The Academy became the higher learning and intellectual pursuit in Greece . The main subjects of study were Arithmetical , mathematics , geometry , philosophy ,law . The academy realized the possibility of science and knowledge with which one could reform the world into virtuous one . Teaching in The Academy was given through lectures , problem solving situation, and Socratic dialectics .

According to Sabine" The Academy marks the  beginning of European philosophy specially in its relation with politics and other social sciences. "

Through the Academy Plato realised that his aim of life was to established just order and virtue in Athens . He tried to turn the entire Greek world to philosophy through academy.He was convinced that the gap between things as they were and they should be bridged only when wisdom and power were combined in the same person . When philosopher become Kings or king cultivated the spirit of philosophy ,and this can be possible through education. 

 How this is relevant   in  Indian education system  ? 

Plato put emphasis on compulsory education for all . Similarly in India we have Right to education  under Article 21 A of Indian constitution, which stated that , State shall provide free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years .  Like Plato established The Academy to institutionalized education ,Indian educational system also has many schools which are providing education to all . All the institution are under state control , educational framework , syllabus everything is decided by government supervision .Like  in Plato’s Theory of education has 2 aspects ; individual and social .Likewise Indian education system put emphasis on individual as we as social aspects . In individual aspects students are developing their personality by gaining knowledge and in social aspects performing their duties for the betterment of society .

Plato ' s framework of education and Indian framework of education :

He suggested elementary and higher education .The main difference between two is ,the elementary education is compulsory to all and higher education would be offered only to selected few .

Elementary education : He suggested 3 phases of elementary education .In phase I every child is vest under public care ,and child is  taught about rightful conduct .Phase II focused on training in gymnastics which developed the element of courage and spirit . Phase III focused on compulsory military education .And after that higher education will be given to those who will pass these phases .

Higher education : This Education intended for  selected persons who passed all phases of elementary education . In higher education logic , metaphysics , math , astronomy, will be taught and at the age of 31- 35 main focus will be on dialectics and philosophy .Those who will pass these tests will be promoted to further training .  After the age of 35 individual will be given practical training of statesmanship  where they will be trained in various roles , capacity and skills to prove their abilities . At the age of 50 they may be allowed to enter the life of perfect activities where they spend part of their time in service of states

Indian education framework : Elementary , secondary and higher education .

Elementary education is compulsory and secondary and higher are individual choices. Elementary education focus on providing literary skills . Indian education has 10+ 2 system  but new education policy of India ( 2020) put  more focus on practical knowledge  and skills and new framework is  5+3+3+4 covering age of 3 to 18 .

Indian higher education system is also like those selected individuals who will excel in elementary and secondary education  will be promoted to higher studies .From time to time  students capacity to perform will be check in the form of taking examination.

Plato was in favour of educating men as well as  women . Both boys and girls received same kind of education he didn't differentiate between the two on talents and skills .This is what we see in Indian framework also . Every child is receiving education irrespective to their gender and they all are receiving same knowledge and skills . There are no bars on women, they are free to learn and to excel in any phase .

India has more formal form of education but after the implementation of new education policy we can say that government will promote scientific ,and practical knowledge which will have more resemblance with Plato's .

"If women are to have same duties as men ,they must have the same nurture and education ". ..………Plato .

Education is one of the key to eradicate evil .For Plato education was  more than just cramming facts while sitting in a classroom from youth to maturity. Today most of the countries see education as a right and have structured educational system .

Education is always given honored place in Indian society . The basic notion  of education  is to promote individuals personality and knowledge and then that individual will channelize that knowledge for the development of society .

As Plato said education is a continuous and unending process ,there can be no finished line to the process of education.  Plato ' s  ideas underwent evolution throughout his lifetime ,but these ideas have very much relevance in present times  . Modern education is very much influenced from the ideas of Plato . In  our education system we see many elements of Plato ' s education system.

"If a man neglects education ,he walks lame to the end of his life ."....Plato