Reading Karl Marx; Debates and Relevance for Contemporary Education

Abstract

Education continues to be one of the most influential institutions in modern societies. This is because of the

continued need for role modeling, unity, sense of direction, exchange of ideas, defining of success and failure to

mention. Karl Marx becomes pertinent here as one of the most influential men in modern history. Marxst ideas of

education stressed on indoctrination of ideas and practices, no wonder the state ensures that education aims at

creating attitude and values. The state is to be strengthened through the creation of a classless society. The

proletariat will, no doubt, dominate in the Marxst state. But education will not be limited to a handful of people.

Marxsm lays stress on providing education to all sections of the society, i.e., universal education. Equalization of

educational opportunity is the Marxst educational goal. Marxst education aims at maximum good to the maximum

number. Social advancement is to be ensured through education since education is considered as the greatest

instrument of social change. Only intellectual education cannot achieve this goal.