EDUCATION

MS. SHEENA
 CLASS OUTLINE
1. Definition and introduction
2. Education : A Global Survey
3. Functions of Schooling
4. Schooling and Social Inequality
5. Problems in Schools
 EDUCATION
 Definition: “ … the social institution through which
society provides its member with important knowledge,
basic fact, job skills and cultural norms, values”
(Macionis, 2008, p.517)
 Formal or informal
 Schooling refers to “ formal instruction under the
direction of specially trained teachers” (Macionis, 2008,
p.517)
 EDUCATION (2)
 Schooling is heavily related to the economic
development of the country – access and types of
education transmitted
 Illiteracy rates - the percentage of individuals who can
not read or write
 EDUCATION : A GLOBAL SURVEY
1. Schooling in India
- More students getting education
- Primary level in crowded classrooms
- Boys are valued because they will contribute to the
family income
 EDUCATION : A GLOBAL SURVEY (2)
- Girls are liability – provide dowry and benefit the
husbands’ families
- Less family invest in schooling their daughters compared
to sons
 EDUCATION : A GLOBAL SURVEY (3)
 Schooling in Japan
- Previously only elites go to school
- Schooling is made mandatory in 1872
- Early grades teaches obligation to the family

- Tight competition between boys and girls as their

number of graduates are high
 EDUCATION : A GLOBAL SURVEY (4)
 Entry to college is highly competitive
 Thus, they take exams very seriously and even have
“ cram schools” before exams
 EDUCATION : A GLOBAL SURVEY (5)
3. Schooling in Great Britain
- Industrial revolution demands educated workers, hence
demand for access to education.
- British law now requires students to attend school until
16 years old
 EDUCATION : A GLOBAL SURVEY (6)
 Wealthy families send their children to expensive public
schools (similar to private boarding schools) where they
teach the elite cultures (i.e. speech, mannerism)
 FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATION
1. Socialization
- Job socialization
- Cultural values and norms

2. Cultural Innovation
- Research and discussions affects our lives i.e. increase
life expectancy

3. Social Integration
- Brings people together
 FUNCTIONS OF EDUCATION(2)
4. Social Placement
- Identify and develop the talents and skills of individuals

- Promote meritocracy and enable social mobility

5. Latent Functions
- Serves as a child care

- Network

- Meeting potential spouse

 SCHOOLING AND SOCIAL
INEQUALITY

1. Social Control
 Education as an instrument of elite domination – workers
who are docile, literate and discipline
 education are particularly apparent in ‘hidden curriculum’
– “ subtle presentation of political or cultural ideas in the
classroom” (Macionis, 2008, p.522)

2. Standardized Testing
 Used to “ test” students but unfairly as tests reflect the
dominant culture
SCHOOLING AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY
(2)
3. School Tracking
- Assigns students to different programs or classes

- Reproduction of class due to different training, and

labeling

4. Inequality Among Schools

- Facilities

- Staff members

- Exam preparation
 SCHOOLING AND SOCIAL INEQUALITY
(3)
5. Privilege and Personal Merit
- People often look at credentials as their “ badges of
ability”
- Overlook the cultural capital and economic capital

- i.e. students from family background of USD$100, 000 a

year gets about 260 points more than those from the
family background of USD$10,000
 PROBLEMS IN THE SCHOOL
1. Discipline and Violence
- These days, drug and alcohol abuse, premarital sex,
teenage pregnancy, violence
- Biased punishment
 PROBLEMS IN THE SCHOOL (2)
2. Student passivity
- Some blame the role of excessive TV watching,
uninvolved parents, students’ personality.
- But tend to overlook the role of the school in producing
such students
 PROBLEMS IN THE SCHOOL (3)
3. Dropping Out
- Quitting or leaving school

4. Academic Standards
- Students graduating
without necessary skills,
knowledge and abilities
-
 TUTORIAL QUESTION

Which sociological perspectives best explain the formal

schooling system in the world? Elaborate on your
answer.
THANK YOU
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