Friedrich Froebel’s Pedagogy and the Quest for Moral Development in Modern Nigeria
Abstract
The present moral bankruptcy in Nigeria is the primary impetus for this research. The moral bankruptcy which has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian society manifests vividly through corruption, emergence of mentally and politically imbalanced individuals, lack of political will and the absence of the fear of God and respect for humanity. These have contributed to the decline of development in Nigeria across
all fronts. On this note, it is urgent to give a critical examination and plausible solution to this problem in order to avoid a serious national catastrophe that may cause the end of Nigeria. This study uses the method of philosophical analysis to probe the moral foundation of Nigeria’s problem and proposes Friedrich Froebel’s concept of moral education as a feasible moral educational framework upon which Nigeria’s moral problems can be reversed. Although this study agrees with Froebel’s emphasis on teaching children at the tender age in Kindergarten, it goes beyond Froebel to recommend the importance of teaching morality and creative thinking to Nigeria’s children even when it uses Froebel’s pedagogy as fulcrum. A careful and faithful application of this method has the capacity to nurture the moral conscience
and attitudes of Nigerians from infancy. When this pedagogy is applied, the result is the emergence of mentally and politically balanced citizens who can steer Nigeria toward attaining her yearning for social cohesion and stability.