Marxism

• Althusser

  • the education system performs two functions for the ideological state apparatus:
  • Reproduction - the education system reproduces class inequality by failing each generation of working-class pupils
  • Legitimation - the education system tries to convince people that inequality is inevitable and failure is the individual's fault and not the capitalist system
• Bowles and Gintis

  • schools create the new generations of workers to serve the capitalist system
  • there is a hidden curriculum in schools which is used to serve the capitalist system
  • e.g. pupils accept hierachy, competition, high attendance
  • meritocracy is a myth; success is based on class, ability or educational achievement