The allegory of the cave demonstrates the effects of education on the human soul, demonstrating

how people move from one grade of cognitive activity to the next.

Plato’s Theory of Education

Plato, being a critical thinker of his time, foresees the city state as an ideal state that is ruled by
the philosopher king. However, to ensure political justice for his ideal state, he thinks that
education is a sole tool to make an individual intellectual, comprehensible and enough intelligent
to understand the justice of nature.
Plato founded the first academy in Athens, he named it after a Greek hero called Academus. In
that academy he taught Philosophy, Mathematics, Gymnastics etc.
Existing Educational Models during Plato’s Era
1. Athenian Model
• Family controlled education
• No interference of State
• Comprehensive syllabus - Stage 1: Primary education (6-14 years), Stage 2: Middle
education (14-18 years), Stage 3: Compulsory military training (18-20 years)
• Aim of education was physical, mental and moral development
• Nature of education not in consonance with the needs of State
2. Spartan Model
• State controlled education
• No interference of the family
• Limited syllabus
• Compulsory military training for both men and women above 7 years
• Aim of education was security of the State
• Nature of education suitable to the needs of the State
Plato’s Model of Education
Plato combines the aforementioned two models and proposes his own scheme which comprises
of a continuous life long process of State controlled education. The aim of education is overall
development of personality to suit the needs of State. He divides education into the elementary
and higher education stages.
Elementary Education (6-18 years)- Focuses on character building. Its aim is to make everyone
good citizen. It includes physical exercise for body and music for mind. After 18 years there is a
military training till 20 years. At the end of these, Plato suggests an elimination test. Those who
pass the test will get higher education and others who fail will become warriors and producer
class.
Higher Education (20-35 years)- Includes the study of Math, Moral Science, Astrology and
Philosophy. After the knowledge of these subjects there is again an elimination test at the age of
30. Those who fail will become ordinary officers and others will study further about Justice,
Logic and Philosophy till 35 years of age. For 35-50 years of age there will be practical
knowledge of worldly affairs.
Main Features of Plato’s Model of Education
• State controlled, regular and continuous process
• Compulsory for both men and women
• Aims at overall development of personality
• Basis and motive of education is Justice
• Division into stages is scientific
• Due importance to religion and morality
• Administration is an art
• Includes theoretical as well as practical aspect
Critiques
i. Undue control of State
ii. Literature has been ignored
iii. Long and expensive process
iv. More theoretical less practical
v. Emphasis on education of ruler class only
vi. Individual development sacrificed at the cost of State
vii. Similar syllabus for both men and women is inappropriate