ATTAINING EGALITARIANISM IN A HIGHLY STRATIFIED SOCIAL STRUCTURE IN NIGERIA: CAN EDUCATION MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

The concept of egalitarianism has been examined in relation to the stratification which characterizes almost all societies. This paper outlines the ramifications of egalitarianism and the elements of the stratified social system. Theorizing on the functions of education as an equalizer, the paper has examined the various ways in which education tries to promote egalitarianism in a stratified system. It identified the various levels of the social system some of which have been inadvertently promoted by the educational system itself and the paper also examined the concerted efforts of nations, as championed by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) via the 2000 Dakar Frame work for Action on the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and how curriculum planners should involve stakeholders in planning the curriculum with a view of providing education that will cater for all round development of the learner. Finally, the paper arrives at the conclusion that education appears not to be an effective equalizer even with the social changes which it brings about.