© 2005 pearson education canada inc. chapter 20 education

© 2005 Pearson Education Canada Inc.

Chapter 20

Education


Education vs. Schooling

Education– The social institution through which society

provides its members with important knowledge, including basic facts, job skills, and cultural norms and values

Schooling– Formal instruction under the direction of

specially trained teachers


Schooling in India

Many children work, limiting their schooling Half the population is literate Patriarchy shapes opportunity: 45% of boys and

30% of girls attend secondary school.


Schooling in Japan

Has some of world’s highest achievers Schools foster traditional values 90% of young people graduate from high school Half attend cram schools to attend university Students outperform Canadian students in

mathematics and science.


Schooling in Great Britain

Schooling was a privilege of nobility in Middle Ages

Now all attend till 16 years Public schools, like Canadian boarding schools, are

for the wealthy Universities are now more open Graduates of “Oxbridge” still become elite


Schooling in Canada

Canada has a policy of universal, publicly supported primary and secondary schooling. It also has 273 publicly supported post secondary institutions, including 69 universities.

Canada claims minimal illiteracy but,In 1989, 15% of adult Canadians were not sufficiently

literate to carry out everyday situations.In 2003, 92 % report being functionally literate. (Cont’d)


Schooling in Canada (Cont’d)

15.4 % of Canadians (15+ years of age) have university degrees.

But it has a smaller percentage than the U.S. with university degrees.

After the quiet Revolution in Quebec, classical education was replaced by business engineering and science.

There is a gradual shift to engineering, mathematics, and science degrees.


Fig 20-1


Functions of Schooling

Socialization: basic skills, values and norms, and a respect for the Canadian mosaic

Cultural innovation through research Social integration of diverse groups, though retention

of ethnic identities is assisted Social placement: the enhancement of meritocracy by

making personal merit a foundation of future social position

(Cont`d)


Functions of Schooling (Cont`d)

Latent functions: – Provides child care; – Reduces competition for jobs; and – Helps establishes networks and identifies partners.

Critical evaluation: The quality of schooling is far better for some than others.


Schooling and Social Inequality

Perpetuation of social inequality by Social control: teaches discipline and punctuality Testing: transforms privilege into individual merit Streaming: assigning students to different types of

programs, frequently according to backgrounds Unequal access to higher education Credentialism: evaluation according to degrees

(Cont`d)


Figure 20-2


Figure 20-3


Schooling and Social Inequality (Cont`d)

Schooling transforms privilege into personal merit

Critical evaluation: Upward mobility for talented people especially

those from modest backgrounds, and Curriculum challenges social inequalities.


Figure 20-4


Problems in the Schools

School Discipline– Not like U.S. but assaults and killings have occurred, e.g., Montreal’s L’École Polytechnique.

Dropping out: – Boys more than girls– From single or no-parent households, have lower averages, use

drugs, etc.– Aboriginal people have a high rate.

Value for Money– 7% of GDP is spent on education, top of G7 countries

(Cont’d)


Problems in the Schools (Cont`d)

Academic standards: – Formerly lower international test scores are now much

higher and functional illiteracy, reading and writing skills insufficient for daily living, is a problem for older Canadians.

Education and World of Work– The ability to integrate and use information, adapt to

change, and conceptualize the future are in demand, in lesser demand are technical skills.


Fig 20-5


Education for Tomorrow

Increasing diversity and ethnic nationalism Experiencing technological change Shrinking world of shifting political alliances,

economic restructuring, multinational corporations and global competition

Education is a catalyst for change and glue that binds us together.

© 2005 pearson education canada inc. chapter 20 education

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