In this section, we shall look at
the two main functions of education identified in Unit One; namely cultural
transmission and change through innovation. Morrish (1976), stated in this regard
that the object of education in general is to provide young children with the
means for understanding their society and its structures and institutions, as
well as opening up opportunities for them to create “meaning” out of their
environment and interpersonal relationships.
a) Cultural
Transmission
It is generally agreed that
schools help the family to pass on the national culture to children entrusted in their care
from very early in life. This point is best exemplified by Nigeria’s attempt to
use education as an instrument for inculcating national consciousness and
national unity. The task of the Nigerian schools, particularly at the lower
levels is to produce a good and united citizenry comprising people who think of
themselves first as Nigerians before they think of themselves as belonging to
any ethnic group or region.
b) Promoting
Change
As mentioned in an earlier
section, in addition to preserving the cultural heritage of society, education also serves an
innovative function, which brings about desirable changes in society. This is
achieved through the provision of knowledge and ideas to members of society. Schools
produce highly educated and skilled individuals whose education and level of
enlightenment enable them to initiate and pursue change through innovations and
critical reflection on the old ways of society.
The society, which schools should
reflect, is clearly not static. It changes. So in reflecting it, schools should
participate in determining the direction of its change. The point here is that
while the school is expected to accept the social forces that play upon it, it
should nonetheless not be oblivious of them. At any given time in the community,
one can see that, there is an apparent state of cultural confusion. In this regard,
the school cannot just simply reflect and perpetuate such confusion. Rather, the
school should actively participate in the process of shaping the culture by
focusing on only those aspects of the culture that help to preserve and
maintain its integrity and others that have the promise of improving it. The
school leads and directs the culture and should be integrated with the social
life of the people. It should change as well as reflect the community. In fact,
the schools should take part in the determination of a future social order. The
proper role of school is therefore, to select, organize, direct and structure
these forces in the light of present social needs, local circumstances and future
demands.
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