Outline and assess Functionalist explanations of the role of the education system.

As a scheme which places heavy emphasis on the compend of institutions and their relationship with inn, especially with regards to the functions of institutions, Functionalists place a hearty amount of focus on the direction re mains. However, this perspective is non forever and a day accepted, its large theory plan of attack is often seen as too wide-eyed bearing to be applied to the test of the pedagogics frame of rules as substantially as critics which dispute the functions of the rearing system as portrayed by functionalists.Nevertheless, its macro theory approach puts the nurture system in context and is therefore a theory which is notable when discussing the role of the education system. Firstly, it cannot be ignored that one of the main principles of the theory is that guild is based upon consensus, bargain mingled with norms and set. As an institution of junior-grade well-disposedisation, Functionalist theorists see the education system as one of the main institutions which serve well to accomplish respect consensus indoors society, allowing society to sound in a smooth manner.Durkheim suggested that the education system is an institution which helps to create a bodied consciousness, uniting society into one body, with the system creating social beings. As put forward by Durkheim, the education system helps to achieve this through the subject Curriculum, brought in by the Education put right Act 1988, which helps to create shared set amongst all pupils throughout the country.Furthermore, Durkheim suggests that subjects made controlling through the National Curriculum much(prenominal) as History and Religious studies help to enhance cohesion and social stability, minimising passage of arms within society through value consensus,- keeping social order. In this sense, Functionalism places significant emphasis upon the education system as an institution which contributes to the wellbeing of society.However, it may be tha t in reality value consensus does not exit, as today the novelty of society means that there is not stipulation about norms and values. Ethnic and cultural diversity may therefore be attributed as factors which mean that the education system is not an institution which unites society, as it may not be able to change the norms and values instilled upon members of society by other forms of socialisation, such(prenominal) as the family or the areas of media young mint are exposed to.Although, in defence, it is real much true that educational establishments do aim to create a collective consciousness through individual check ethoss and uniforms, which are in performance to reduce conflict within society. critically though, these could be seen as polices which aim to becalm the school learning environment, as conflicting to society.In addition, it is true to say that the inclusion of Citizenship is read that the government and educationalists are aiming to use education as an ins titution which aims to promote social cohesion, and indeed social beings. Perhaps it could in like manner been seen, that in terms of the relationship between education and society, that the education system cannot of necessity make up for the diversity of attitudes within society,- to what degree can the education system compensate for differences in values and conformity behaviours and attitudes?