Introduction

Genuine education liberates man from the dungeon of his own muddle-headedness. It should lead man to “self-examination, self-evaluation and eventual self-knowledge.” The purpose of education is two-fold: intellectual and moral. A careful observation of today’s African society reveals a lot of intellectual and moral inadequacy. This is characterised, inter alia, by ineptitude, low output, crime, war, intolerance, and egoistic tendencies. It can be ascertained that contemporary African society has wandered far away from the ideal. This retards genuine development and relationships that could better build our African society. This makes one wonder: how does the Fonlonian concept of education fit into our context? And what can we do to salvage the present predicament?

Two Key Dimensions of Education 

Education has several dimensions. The two main keys of educational dimension are intellectual and moral dimension. 

Intellectual Dimension of Education: Education is meant to equip the youth with scientific and philosophical profound knowledge, skill and mind. It is unfortunate that in most African schools, many students distinguish themselves with the lack of interest in studies. They study only to pass examinations without intentionality. Some teachers also do not help matters. They engage in what Paulo Freire considers as the “banking system of education.” In this kind of education, students are not encouraged to think for themselves. This shallowness in intellectualism cannot but lead to mediocrity. 

Moral Dimension of Education: In the second place, education is meant to instill into the students a deep, keen and lofty moral character, that which gives one a sense of dedication to the service of humanity. It is sad that in contemporary society, man has become a wolf to his fellow man. This accounts for the egoism that is infiltrating in most African societies. One of the reasons for underdevelopment in some parts of Africa is not poverty or lack of resources, but the fact that they circulate in the hands of just a few.

The crying need for Genuine Intellectuals

These two dimensions of education are indispensable to a genuine intellectual. They are like two wings of the same bird. Such a scholar becomes the keeper of public conscience; waging relentless war against injustice, wickedness, falsehood, and helping the society to choose good over evil. S/he is a lover of truth and wisdom, rather than a lover of fame or wealth, as is the case with most of our so-called intellectuals today. 

Conclusion

Contemporary African society is characterised by noisy professions and empty sloganeering about morality as indicated by Rotcod Gobata. Talks about the “common good” are very common in most human societies. But, how common is the common good? Ajume Wingo once indicated, and rightly so, that no one is left out in the adjustment of personal interests in pursuit of the common good. I must therefore be ready to steep myself into genuine studies, and inculcate a moral character; that which makes me a “man” to my fellow man. This is the African society we should strive for, and work towards.