Assess the contribution of functionalist sociologists to our understanding to our

understanding of the role of the education system in the society.

Introduction

Politically, formal education has developed in many ways. The 1988 Education Reform
Act made education almost a franchise, as well as changing many other prior
customs. Functionalist sociologist Durkheim noted society needed consensus in
order to keep structured. Marxist sociologist Althusser argued the educational
system is a main agent for ideological control, replacing the church in upholding
capitalism. In society, the education system is large institution, however different
sociologists perceive it fulfils different agendas.

Functionalists see the education system as something fundamental to social

solidarity. This is because the main functionalist dogma is one of society being
like a system; education being a pivotal organ in the smooth running of society.
This is echoed by Durkheim who claims school is society in miniature. Davis and
Moore argued that inequality in society is justifiable due to job allocation. This is
because education serves as an indication to what jobs people are suitable for,
and people differ in intelligence, skill and talent and for society to run at an
effective level it is crucial that roles are filled by the most talented and
appropriate people. This would be criticized and disputed by Marxists and
feminists.

The education system is seen by Marxists as xx x

ideological control.
Schools transmit an ideology which states that capitalism is just and reasonable.
questions on work problems
Future exploitation school uniform (subtle way)
Althusser- arm chair theoriser

This is criticized by feminists

Feminists see

1. Functioanlists
2. Marxists
3. New Right/Neo Liberal

4. Post Modernism/Feminism
To complete the socialization process.
The school and other institutions have come into being in place of family to complete
the socialization process. It is the function of education to see that unfounded beliefs,
illogical prejudices and unreasoned loyalties are removed from the child's mind,
though the school has its own limitations in this regard, it is expected to continue its
efforts in reforming the attitudes of the child.

To transmit the central heritage :

This social heritage (culture) must be transmitted through social organisations.
For the formation of social personality
Education helps in transmitting culture through proper molding of social
personalities. In this way, it contributes to the integration, to survive and to reproduce
themselves.
Education for occupational placement :
Education must prepare the student for future occupational positions, the youth
should be enabled to play a productive role in society.
Conferring of Status :
Conferring of status is one of the most important function of education. The amount
of education one has, is correlated with his class position. This is four in U.S.A.,
U.S.S.R., Japan, Germany and some other societies.
Education is related to one's position in the stratification structure in two ways. (1) An
evaluation of one's status is partially decided by what kind of education one has
received and (2) Many of the other important criteria of class position such as
occupation, income and style of life are partially the result of the type and amount of
education one has had.
Men who finish college, for example, earn two and a half times as much as those
who have a grammar school education.
Education encourages the spirit of competition :

The teacher admires and praises those who d well and frowns upon those who fail to
do well. The schools ranking system serves to prepare for a later ranking system.