Social Class and Control of Education PDF

**3.6.2 Social Class and Control of Education** Social class is a large scale grouping of individuals who share common economic resources which strongly influence their styles of living: Manners, speech or dress is a social hierarchy base on differences in the possession of wealth and income. The...

**3.6.2 Social Class and Control of Education** Social class is a large scale grouping of individuals who share common economic resources which strongly influence their styles of living: Manners, speech or dress is a social hierarchy base on differences in the possession of wealth and income. The class is the most predominant system of stratification in the world today. **There are Three Types of Classes** - Upper class - Middle class - Lower class Later, some sociologists come up with five layers of social class as follows: - Upper class - Upper---middle class - Lower---middle class - Working class - Lower class It is globally agreed that the lower class constitute the largest group in the under developed countries with low influence in the control of education of their nation while those in the upper class were placed at the top ranking position in the control of education of the nation. **3.6.3 School as a Formal Organization** School is a formal organization because it possesses all the characteristics of a formal organization as explained below i. In the School there is cordial relationship between teachers, parent, students and administrators. ii. There are some stated rules and regulations. iii. There is proper planning and coordination of human and material resources. iv. There is stimulation and motivation of members to function effectively. v. Administrators and teachers make rational decision on the affairs of students in the school through evaluation of performances e.g. tests and examinations or certification. The school can also be seen as a formal organization because all its activities are aiming at achieving the educational goals of a nation. **3.6.4 National Policy on Education and Society** Every society or nation is aspiring for its development and therefore no nation will develop without a qualitative education. This brings about the need for national policy of education in order for Nigerian society to develop. Through education, the nation aims at achieving the following stipulated five goals in its national policy on education (NPE. 2004). i. A free and democratic society ii. A just and egalitarian society iii. A united, strong and self-reliant nation iv. A great and dynamic economy v. A land full of bright opportunities for all citizens. With the achievement of the above-stated objectives, the society is hound to develop positively. **3.7 Socialization within the School Social System** **3.7.1 School Climate and Socialization Process** School climate and socialization process is aiming at explaining the characteristics of a school and what the relationship between the various groups of individuals and their roles should be in order to achieve the objective of the school. The School, as a formal and bureaucratic organization, has been characterized by the **principle of bureaucracy** as propounded by Max Weber (1946) as follows: i. [Division of labour]: This is to say every member of the organization must be given or assigned a specific work to do on a high degree of specialization and competence. For example, in primary school, there are position of Head teacher, class master teachers, non-teaching staff and pupils. Everybody has to be given his/her duties respectively. ii. [Rules and regulations]: There must be specific rules and regulations in schools. These rules can be formulated from outside or from within. iii. [Impartiality in official duties]: In the school setting, the action of the head teacher or teachers are not expected to be based on personal like or dislikes. In all cases, students should be given equal treatment and considerations. iv. [Recruitment and Promotion of staff based on merit]: In school, teachers employed must be professionally qualified in the various subjects assign to them. Merit determines the employment and promotion of staff in every social organization like school. v. [Hierarchical structure of positions]: In schools there must be a head followed by the subordinates in a pyramid form. When it comes to the issue of command, it should be from top to bottom e.g., in primary school, the head master at the top has the responsibility for the entire school while the class master has responsibility to his class only and so on. The pupils receive command accordingly as appropriate. **3.7.2 The Role of the Management** The management or administrator of the school has some basic roles to play for the successful achievement of the school. Among the management roles of the administrator of a school as a social system are: Systematic implementation and use of the principle of administration like: a. Division of labour, b. Discipline, c. Unity of command, d. Subordination of individual interest, e. Remuneration, f. Firmness and fairness, g. Effective decision making, h. Professional growth, i. Adequate record keeping, j. Stability of tenue and so on. **3.7.3 The Teachers Role and Personality** A teacher is the person who has acquired some knowledge/skills and also the technique of imparting such knowledge/skills to others (Janguza, 2011). The teacher has many roles that is expected of him/her for the effective socialization process of the child in school. i. Must have special interest in children. ii. Should possess a professional qualification iii. Be able to facilitate learning iv. Ability to create a conducive learning environment v. Serves as a source of academic resources vi. Be honest and reliable vii. Should show human consideration in his/her relation with others. **3.7.4 Students' Role and Self-concept** The students are the collection of individuals who join the school system with the aim of acquiring some knowledge or skills. They can also be regarded as clients and or members of the school depending from the angle one views it (Ezewa, 1983). The students' role should be seen as a veritable contribution geared towards attainment of school objectives. The school is directly established to serve the students and indirectly the society. Without the students, there would be no need for the school. The students should also view themselves as important agents of the society towards the actualization of social inter-relationship between the school and the society. They should be discipline and obedient to the established rules and regulations of the school and also be active participant in the school activities. **3.8 Citizenship Education** **3.8.1 Brief History of Citizenship** Before the 19^th^ century concept of citizenship was only restricted to some privilege few people, especially in Europe (at the middle of that era), or those who owned properties or came from important families. Persons who were considered as being socially and economically dependent on others were not regarded as citizens although they were members of an organized state. Examples of such persons were women, children and those who fail to satisfy property qualification. This means that only the elites of selected persons or group of persons could enjoy tile privilege of citizenship. **3.8.2 Citizenship in Nigeria** According to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) citizenship is defined as special status granted by the state to its members and expressed formally as the equality of all person before the state. However, citizenship is applicable to a person endowed with full political and civil right in a state. **3.8.3 Citizenship Education as a Course** - It is a course of study that teaches individual moral values and other values of state in general. - It inculcates the love of the country, upholding national ethics, values and national symbols. - The course teaches students to understand what we should expect form our country/leaders and what our country/leaders should expect from us. - Laws governing the peaceful interaction within the society are clearly understood through this course that lead us to know the supreme law of the land referred to as "Constitution'' - Citizenship education prepares the young Nigerian society to understand its yesterday, how it becomes what it is today, how we are supposed to live with one another in peace, harmony and respect for all. It prepares individuals to be confident and responsible citizens who will make positive contribution to the society.