In simple terms, having an aim, is
having some purpose or ends in mind and is in this ordinary sense that we talk
of aims or goals by 6-3-3-4 of education with the implication which people
believed to be educationally desirable.
Nwaigwe (1985) earlier in his work
distinguished goals of 6-3-3-4 system of education between general goals and
special goals of education. The difference hinges on the socio-economic and
experiences of the political and cultural perspective and experiences of the
particular society.
Maritian (1963) defined aim of
education in general terms as the chief task of education and above all, to
shape man or to guide the evolving dynamism through which man forms himself as
a human armed with knowledge, strength of judgment and more virtuoes spiritual
heritage of national and civilization in which he is involved and preserving in
the way the contrary old achievement of generation.
Fahwemi (1974), says that the prime
purpose of 6-3-3-4 system of education should be the fullest development by the
individual human personality and interest liberated from basic want. But
6-3-3-4 system of education should be also prepared for life. This is seen in
6-3-3-4 system which was directed towards self reliance through the teaching of
science and technology aided by the diversified curriculum to take care of
children, individual talents and abilities.
In this light, the federal
government in review of educational policy took education as an instrument of
nation building and development as the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1981) put
it. Thus “the federal government of Nigeria has adopted education as an
instrument par-excellence for effecting national development.