Knowt
Durkheim on Education
Education fulfils positive functions for society:
By promoting social solidarity
By teaching specialist skills
Social solidarity:
Definition:
The ties that bind people together in society
Two forms of social solidarity:
Pre-industrial era: Mechanical solidarity
Modern era: Organic solidarity
Education ensures that solidarity is not lost
How does education achieve this?
Passes on shared heritage
History, Literature, Music
Students understand aspects of culture
Communal gatherings
Assemblies, Prize-giving
Promote values of community
Social cohesion
Enrichment, Sports activities, House systems
Sense of unity
Contemporary applications:
Micheal Gove's reforms to curriculum 2013 began with history
Compulsory teaching of British Values:
Democracy
The rule of law
Individual liberty
Mutual respect for, and tolerance of, those with different faiths and beliefs and those without faith
Criticisms:
Marxists: whose values and heritage are being passed on?
Ethnocentric curriculum focused on âlittle Englandismâ (Ball)
British values: Marginalises some groups in society
Durkheim: Teaching specialist skills:
Industrial revolution
Changes in skills required for the âcomplex division of modern labourâ
Creation of state education systems to prepare the next generation for employment
How does education achieve this?
Core knowledge: National curriculum
Specialist knowledge: Subject choice at A Level
Vocational skills: Btec and T Levels
Creation of universities: âRed bricksâ
Contemporary applications:
Additional funding for maths students at Level 3
Standardised assessments (SATs), testing for key skills
Teaching bursaries for shortage subjects
Reforms to the curriculum- global skills
Criticisms:
Marxists: Over-qualified workforce
Fragmentation
Lower wages
Reserve army of labour
High levels of youth unemployment - NEETs
Skills shortage areas in the UK- Sciences, Engineering
Feminists: Girls discouraged from certain subjects
