Topic Summaries

Role and functions of the education system

A-Level > Sociology > AQA > A Level Sociology Topic Summaries > Education > Role and functions of the education system
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Exam overview
  • Functionalist view (👤 Durkheim, 1925):
    • Education transmits culture and shared values, creating social solidarity.
    • History lessons teach a common heritage.
    • Schools are a miniature society, preparing people for work and citizenship.
      • Teaching to the test limits creativity.
  • Functionalist view (👤 Schultz, 1971):
    • Education develops human capital through skills training, increasing economic productivity.
      • Skills focus can overlook critical thinking.
  • Marxist view (👤 Althusser, 1971):
    • Education is an ideological state apparatus
    • The education system reproduces class inequality by failing working-class pupils and legitimises inequality by presenting it as merit-based.
      • Underplays resistance in schools.
  • Marxist view (👥 Bowles and Gintis, 1976):
    • The correspondence principle means school mirrors the workplace: hierarchy, alienation, competition, and extrinsic rewards.
    • Hidden curriculum teaches conformity.
      • 👤 Giroux (1988) found anti-school subcultures reject these values.
  • New Right view:
    • Schools fail to equip pupils with skills for the global economy due to uniform provision.
    • Support marketisation and competition to improve standards.
      • Marketisation can widen inequality

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