Download Issues in Education by Simone Bailey Submitted in partial fulfillment

Issues in Education
by
Simone Bailey
Submitted in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree of
Bachelor in Education (Primary)
Catholic College of Mandeville.
Mr. Austin
October, 2015. © Simone Bailey
Past Issue # 12:
The Successful Functioning of the School in Society/Community.
Can one hand clap; it takes two hands to do so. Schools and other institutions of learning
play a very important role in preparing children for life and equipping them to play their part as
members of society. Formal education that is offered through schooling is so greatly affected by
these social influences that operate in the wider society that any study relating to the functions of
the school must be seen in the context of the other social forces that directly impinge on the
educational process. The school itself is a miniature community or a micro society, comprising
of definite population which represents a compact network of social relationships that has a
culture that is definitely its own.
There is also the relationship between the school and the society. Since the school is an
integral part of the wider society, it is affected by society’s social norms, its culture, social
groups like the church, other agents in the society, parents, social stratification, social and
economic factors ( Anglin-Hyman, 2000). Culture of course means more than just accumulating
knowledge in every field of inquiry. It includes the values, beliefs, and norms which have been
passed down from generation to generation, albeit with frequent modification throughout the
history of society (Noll 2009).
Manley (1990) state that each society tends to use its own possibilities. The school then
becomes the catalyst in shaping society, as it functions to fulfil society’s need and charts new
directions as society grapples with the challenges of changes which are generally social,
economical, cultural and political and which invariably affect the educational process. School in
itself is a small society, because in school, a child shares his feelings with various children
coming from different background, so he learns the lessons of social duty, responsibilities and
understanding the feelings of others.
One of the main functions of the school according to Figueroa and Persaud (1983) is that of
system maintenance. This task they claim refers to the process whereby new members of a
society are initiated into and learn society’s culture, ways and patterns of interaction. It is also
the function of the school to help individuals to manipulate and create life situations in order to
develop agreement and consensus upon material and social identities ( Anglin-Hyman, 2000).
Moorish (as cited in Anglin- Hyman 2000) state that the school is not the sole element in
the education process as the family and the local environment of the child are also contributors,
but with the complexity of our society and the increasing limitation on the size and even duration
of the nuclear family, the school has become the chief socializing agency and means of
enculturation.
Anglin-Hyman (2000) state that the school is to equip members of the society with
academic and skill training which will enable them to function effectively in the society. The
school is also concerned with training in attitudes. It is important for the learner to develop
respect for operatively with others, to have pride in one’s own people while respecting the rights
of other nations, races and religions.
One of the chief functions of the school is to equip all its learners with the skills of literacy
and numeracy. Walters and Castle (1967) emphasize that “the basic skills of speech, writing and
reading with foundation of mathematics must continue to have priority in any system of
education.” Hence, it is the business of the school to prepare the younger’s to cope with the
demands of a rapidly changing society. It is also the role of the school to instruct the younger
members of society in the functions and nature of the governmental structure within which they
live. Transmitting the cultural heritage is also one of the functions of the school. In Jamaica the
Creole or patois is a part of our cultural heritage ( Anglin- Hyman,2000).
Schools seek to help students achieve personal excellence and become effective citizens,
their learning activities must be organized quite differently. In such schools, the curriculum
would necessarily offer many rich opportunities rather than focusing only on narrow basic skills.
Students are nurtured to become adults who have skills, attitudes, and knowledge to be
productive community members, leaders, parents, as well as worker (Peterson, 2009).
The function of the school in society is significant in Education is one of the basic human rights.
Even before we become a part of the education system, we start learning from our surroundings.
Schools should seek to develop active citizens, helping children develop their own capacity for
personal achievement and contributing to society as an active citizen.
References
Figueroa, P., & Persuad, G. (1993). Sociology of Education: A Caribbean reader. New York:
Oxford University Press.
Hyman-Anglin,R. (2000). Education and society: An introduction (3rd ed.).Jamaica: Bethlehem
Moravian College.
Manley, M. (1990). The politics of change: A Jamaican Testament.Carribean Ltd: Heinemann
Publishers.
Noll, Wn. J. (2009). Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Educational Issues, 15th ed. The McGrawHill Companies, New York.
Peterson,M. (2009). The purpose of schools. Retrieved from
http://www.wholeschooling.net/WS/WSPrncples/WS%200%20purpose%20schls.html
Walters, E. & Castle, B. (1967). Principles of Education: With special reference to teaching in
the Carribbean.London: George Allen and Unwin.