functions of schooling

Functions of Schooling

Dr. JOHN MCKEOWN

University of BahrainBahrain Teachers College

TCPB 111Week 3 - Topic 2

Socialization • Is a process where an individual acquires a

personal identity and learns the norms, values, behaviour, and social skills, appropriate to his or her social position.

• A society itself is formed through shared norms, attitudes, values, motives, social roles, symbols and languages. Socialization is the means by which continuity is maintained.

• Agents of socialization: family, peer group, school, religion, media, school, work, marriage, parenthood and culture.

Relation between school & society

• Schools as well as other socialization factors shape children’s perceptions of the world, the values, beliefs, and norms of society are internalized within children so that they come to think and act like other members of the society.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE?

• ASK A FRIEND NOW TO TELL YOU THE DIFFERENECES BETWEEN SCHOOLING AND EDUCATION.

• List some similarities and some differences.

EDUCATION

Education and Schooling • Education – social institution that deals

with transmission of knowledge; varied forms of learning.

• Schooling -- – is the more organized form of education that takes place in schools; regulated often with government controls.

Education• Is learning occurs throughout life at home, in

peer play, at religious activities, at work, through media in other social activities and contexts.

• Children learn most of the things that equip them to survive their society from people around them in the course of daily life and informally.

• Much of what individuals find it necessary to learn for survival and acceptance is taught outside of schools.

• Education is what you have left over after you have forgotten everything you have learned

Schooling• Is more organised form of education that

takes place in schools, and about the consequences of this organised form of education for individuals and for societies.

• Schooling is more limited than schooling but has great influences on the members of the society.

• Most formal education found in schooling

What is the difference?Education is• Lifelong• Open-ended• Growth-oriented• Self-directed• Both formal and informal• Life - long• Random• In a variety of settings

Schooling is• Time-bound• Structured• Content and skill oriented • Occupation directed• Teacher directed • Formalized• Training for life• Sequential

Education serves a societal needSchools make a positive contribution towards maintaining society Education is vital for socialization

Two central functions performed by education:General socialization of the whole population into the dominant culture, values, and beliefs of a society. Selecting people for different types and levels of education

The social importance of schooling

Schooling is seem as a road to economic and social progress. More and better education is seen as the best solution to social problems.

Indicators of society’s commitment to schooling: takes up large amount of young people’s time, involves substantial amounts of expenditure, high number of people work in schools

Importance of schooling?• Takes up most student time• Socializing influence• Money spent on schooling• Number of people employed• Helps in building a nation• Associated benefit (health, salary,

satisfaction)• Secular versus religious

Social functions of education• The transmission of culture• The transmission of skills• The transmission of values and beliefs• Preparation for working life• The creating of youth• The promotion of peer group relations

Effects of schooling

1. More years of schooling = greater knowledge and social participation.

2. More educated = read newspaper and books, take part in politics and public affairs, are more developed in politics and social attitudes. More education = added confidence and self-esteem.

Effects of schooling on individuals

3. Employment: More years of schooling leads to better employment opportunities and higher income. BUT, education alone doesn’t fully explain differences in levels of income.

3. Education and mobility: increased

education is one of the factors that can provide economic and social mobility, i.e., you can improve the quality of your life

Education in a global Perspective

JAPAN• Education reflects group centered ethic.• College admissions are based on test scores

regardless of social class.• Teachers are paid highly and have high prestige.

Top 10% of the country’s wage earners.• Schooling reflects personal ability.• In early grades, children are taught cultural

values of tradition and obligation to family.

Education in a global Perspective

BRITAIN• Class differences determine the quality of

education.• Schools reproduce class differences.

U.S.A.• Schooling shaped by democratic principles.• Highest number of people with degrees in the

world.• Schools try to promote equality (equal

opportunity)• Stresses the value of practical learning

Education in a global Perspective

INDIA• Widespread child labor• Half of the population is illiterate• Patriarch is significant – boys are favored.• Overcrowded schools • Education is used for elite formation

ANALYSIS OF SCHOOLING

STUCTURAL FUNCTIONALISMEducation enhances the operation and stability

of society.a) Socializationb) Cultural innovation through researchc) Social integrationd) Social placemente) Market forces

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

a) Child careb) Social networksc) Keep youth out of troubled) Regulates job availabilitye) Assists with labour markets

Does this address the 21st C learner profile?

SOCIAL CONFLICT ANALYSIS

• Schools routinely provide learning according to students social backgrounds, thus perpetuating social inequality – gender, occupation, class etc.

• Social control – schools stress social compliance through hidden curriculum—subtle presentation of political or cultural ideas in the classroom.

• Standardized testing – biased in favor of affluent students.

• Tracking – assignment of students to different types of educational programs.

TYPES OF SCHOOLS

• Inequality amongst schools?a) Public vs. private schools.b) Suburban vs. city schools.• Credentials – Evaluating a person on the

basis of educational degrees.

Group discussion

• Discuss some problems facing schools today. List at least 2.

• What are some ideas that you as a teacher can use to fix them?