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Questions and Answers
What is a primary concern of conflict theory regarding education?
Which function of education is NOT typically attributed to functionalism?
In the context of education challenges in South Africa, what issue directly corresponds to the 'have-nots' in conflict theory?
Which of the following is a function of education according to functionalist perspectives?
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What aspect of school funding can significantly impact student outcomes?
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What does conflict theory suggest about the curriculum in educational institutions?
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According to functionalism, which of the following is NOT a function of schools?
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Which outcome is most likely associated with a significant disparity in educational funding?
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What is the primary concern of conflict theorists regarding education?
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Which of the following best describes the manifest functions of education?
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What does the term 'habitus' refer to in the context of education?
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What was the effect of apartheid on education in South Africa?
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In Bourdieu's theory, what is recognized as a form of cultural capital?
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How does school funding impact educational outcomes for disadvantaged students?
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Which statement accurately reflects the latent functions of education?
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What were mission schools primarily responsible for during the era preceding apartheid in South Africa?
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What was a primary consequence of the Bantu Education system in South Africa?
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Which of the following accurately reflects the crisis in South Africa's education system post-apartheid?
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How did the introduction of Afrikaans as a language of instruction in 1976 impact education?
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What was one of the three models proposed to White-only schools in the late 1990s?
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What has been indicated about school funding and educational outcomes in South Africa?
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Which factor contributed to the enrollment increase in South African schools from 1953 to 1975?
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What was the impact of the desegregation of previously White-only schools?
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Which statement best describes the performance drop in South Africa's education system from 2009 to 2018?
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Study Notes
Education and Inequality
- Education can contribute to the perpetuation of inequalities
South African Constitution on Education
- The South African Constitution guarantees everyone the right to basic and further education
- The state is obligated to make further education progressively available and accessible
Theoretical Perspectives on Education
Functionalism
- Emile Durkheim viewed education as crucial for socializing children. He believed that education helps children learn norms, values, beliefs, and acceptable behaviors.
- Talcott Parsons emphasized individual achievement and believed schools promote this through universal standards (e.g., exams) and a meritocratic process.
- Functionalism argues that education fulfills important social functions:
- Transmitting skills
- Facilitating change
- Contributing to research
- Integrating diverse populations
- Selecting qualified individuals for essential careers
Conflict Theory
- Conflict theory posits that education systems are structured to create and maintain advantages for certain groups.
- Conflict theorists identify a power dynamic between "haves" (dominant group) and "have-nots" (less powerful group) resulting in tension and conflict.
- Conflict theorists believe schools are not perfect, highlighting issues like:
- Lack of educational opportunities for everyone
- High dropout rates
- Misclassification of students
- Key questions from a conflict perspective:
- Who creates the curriculum?
- Who has access to resources (e.g., computers, athletic facilities)?
- Which groups are more likely to drop out or attend university?
- Who studies abroad?
- How do schools perpetuate societal inequalities?
- Schools serving marginalized communities often have higher dropout rates and lower graduation rates.
- Some conflict theorists argue that education produces workers suitable for capitalist economies.
Education's Manifest and Latent Functions
- Manifest functions are recognized and intended (e.g., providing skills, preparing for future roles).
- Latent functions are unrecognized and unintended (e.g., the "hidden curriculum" which teaches acceptance and obedience).
- Curriculum encompasses:
- Subject content
- Assessment methods
- Activities in teaching and learning
Social Reproduction
- Pierre Bourdieu's theory: Individuals internalize what they believe is possible based on their educational credentials.
- Bourdieu's theory of cultural reproduction emphasizes a connection between economic position, social status, symbolic capital, and cultural knowledge.
- Economic capital: Financial resources that provide advantages.
- Cultural capital: Knowledge, skills, and values that are valued in a particular society (e.g., knowing how to navigate a university system).
- Both economic and cultural capitals are unequally distributed in society.
- Bourdieu introduces the concept of "habitus," which represents the internalized objective reality that shapes how individuals understand the world.
Education in the South African Context
- During apartheid, education was utilized to promote racial ideologies and white supremacy.
- Apartheid education deliberately disadvantaged Black South Africans in comparison to white students.
- Segregation in education predates apartheid, with mission schools offering limited opportunities for Black, Coloured, and Indian youth.
- Job colour bars in industries like mining furthered racial divisions.
- In the early 20th century, geographical separation of races, separate political systems, and inferior education for Black people were instituted.
- School enrollment grew significantly during the mid-20th century, partly due to industry needing more educated workers.
- The 1976 Soweto Uprising resulted from the introduction of Afrikaans as a language of instruction.
- Bantu Education aimed to control African aspirations and train them for subservience but failed to meet its goals.
- South Africa was increasingly unstable leading to change.
- White schools experienced decreasing enrollment while many Black schools lacked resources.
- White schools were given options for transitioning after apartheid:
- Model A: Private schools.
- Model B: Schools set their own admissions.
- Model C: Semi-private schools (majority white enrollment).
Post-Apartheid Restructuring
- Crisis in South Africa's Education System:
- Poor education outcomes have impacted South Africa's global competitiveness, resulting in a decline in rankings.
- South Africa's basic education ranks poorly compared to other countries.
- There remains a significant division in the education quality: 75% of schools form a dysfunctional system, 25% form a functional system.
On-going Inequalities
- Desegregation of previously white-only schools did not significantly improve outcomes for the majority.
- The education system has not effectively addressed inherited socioeconomic disadvantages at the primary level.
- Inequality in school outcomes translates to significant labor market inequalities.
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Description
Explore the relationship between education and inequality, focusing on South African constitutional rights and various theoretical perspectives. Delve into functionalism and conflict theory to understand how education impacts societal structures and individual achievement.
