THE LIMITATIONS OF CREATIVE THINKING IN THE NIGERIAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Abstract

The educational system in Nigeria today puts too much emphasis on'blind obedience to the teacher in the classroom, conformity to the age old established norms and practices in the school and reproduction of ideas in the examination. This is the legacy of the inherited colonial education which aims were geared towards producing white collar jobs that would sustain the colonial administration. It has been argued that this system is not favourable to the generation of new ideas and full realisation of human creative potential. Various research studies on creativity and its measurement have been reviewed. It has been generally noted that creative thinking cannot be fostered in a system of education that puts too much premium on an ex­amination. Some recommendations for the development of creative thinking in our schools (such as putting emphasis on productive rather than reproductive thinking, having a more relaxed atmosphere that allows students to toy freely with objects) are made.