5.1 The Role of Education in Society

• What is the function of education in society?

  Shaping social structures
• Education equips individuals with skills necessary for employment.

  True
• What is the functionalist perspective on education?

  Promotes social cohesion
• The feminist perspective argues that education perpetuates gender inequalities.


  True
• What is the neo-liberal perspective on education?

  Increases economic competitiveness
• Steps in how education transmits social values and norms

  1️⃣ Formal curriculum teaches societal values

  2️⃣ Informal interactions reinforce social norms

  3️⃣ Extracurricular activities promote teamwork
• What are the two opposing views on education's role in social inequality?

  Functionalist and Marxist
• Marxists argue that education reinforces class divisions by limiting access to resources.
• Unequal school funding leads to disparities in educational quality.

  True
• According to the functionalist perspective, what is the role of education in society?

  Promotes social cohesion
• Unequal school funding contributes to disparities in educational outcomes
• Marxists believe education promotes meritocracy and social mobility.

  False
• How does unequal school funding impact educational opportunities?

  Better facilities and resources
• Universities and research institutions drive innovation in developed economies
• Education transmits cultural norms, values, and behaviours through the process of socialisation
• Match the function of education with its purpose:

  Socialisation ↔️ Instills cultural values

  Skill Development ↔️ Provides skills for employment

  Social Selection ↔️ Categorises individuals into social strata
• The Marxist perspective on education views it as reinforcing existing power structures.
• Marxists believe education reinforces existing power structures
• Feminists argue that education reproduces gender stereotypes, limiting opportunities for girls and women.


  True
• The neo-liberal perspective views education as a means to increase economic competitiveness
• What are three key mechanisms through which education transmits social values and norms?

  Formal curriculum, informal interactions, extracurricular activities
• Experienced and skilled teachers are often concentrated in higher-income schools
• Education is crucial for economic development by enhancing productivity and creating a skilled workforce.


  True
• How does education increase productivity in the workforce?

  Provides specialized skills
• Steps in how education fosters individual development

  1️⃣ Provides specialized skills and knowledge

  2️⃣ Cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving abilities

  3️⃣ Enables social and economic mobility
• Education fully eliminates social inequalities in individual development.

  False