Discuss the view that the educational system is an ideological conditioning device.

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Discuss the view that the educational system is an ideological conditioning device.

It is argued by Marxist that the educational system in capitalist society is an effective tool used by the ruling class to justify their position, conceal the true source of their power and disguise their exploitation of the subject class.

        The Sociologist Louis Althuser claims that education is an ideological state apparatus which largely runs in order to socialise children into acceptance of their subordinate class position – Education functions to ensure that the minority capitalist class continues unchallenged to dominate the disproportionately and unfairly elite positions, and to make sure the working class continue to take on manual jobs in which the value of their labour far outstrips the wage they are paid.

        The American economists and Sociologist Bowles and Gintis argue hat the major role of education in Capitalist societies is the reproduction of labour power. According to Bowles and Gintis the correspondence theory provides the key t understanding the working of the educational system: “Education is subservient to the needs of those who control the workforce, the owners of the means of production” (Haralambos and Halborn)

        The first way in which education functions is to provide Capitalists with a workforce who has the personality, attitudes and values which are most useful to them. If Capitalism is to succeed it requires a hard-working, docile, obedient and lightly motivated workforce, which is too divided and fragmented to challenge the authority of management. Bowles and Gintis argues that the education system helps to achieve these objectives largely through the hidden curriculum – It isn’t the content of lessons and the examinations which pupils take which are important, but the form that teaching and learning take and the way the schools are organised. The hidden curriculum consists of these things that pupils learn through the experience of attending school, rather than the things they learn from the formal National curriculum.

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        According to Bowels and Gintis the hidden curriculum shapes the future workforce in the following ways: Makes them subservient and accept authority as there is a higherarchy in school, pupils do what there told and don’t question authority also pupils must wear school uniforms preparing them for work overalls etc. Capitalism requires a workforce that is motivated by external rewards – wages and school shape them for this by encouraging them to work for credentials e.g. exams and qualifications – equivalent to wages as work.

        Finn (1987) argues that there is a hidden political agenda to Vocational educational training. It ...

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