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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.