5.1: What is Education and Schooling Notes:

Formal and Informal Education

Differences

• Formal education: structured learning in schools/universities, with official curriculum, exams, and qualifications.

• Informal education: unstructured learning outside school (family, peers, media, daily experiences).

Official Curriculum

• Government‑set syllabus: subjects, testing, qualifications.

• Focus on measurable outcomes (grades, certificates).

• Durkheim (Functionalist): schools transmit shared norms and values, creating social solidarity.

Hidden Curriculum

• Unwritten lessons: punctuality, obedience, respect for authority, gender roles.

• Bowles & Gintis (1976, Marxists): hidden curriculum prepares students to accept inequality, producing obedient workers for capitalism.

• Ballantine & Stuber (2021): highlight how hidden curriculum shapes identities and reinforces power dynamics.

Different Types of Schools

• State/public schools: free, funded by government.

• Private schools: fee‑paying, often smaller classes/resources.

• Selective schools: admit by ability (entrance exams).

• Non‑selective schools: open to all.

• Single‑sex schools: boys and girls taught separately.

• Co‑educational schools: boys and girls taught together.

• Faith schools: linked to religion, teach religious values.

• International schools: global curricula (e.g. IB), diverse student body.

Strengths & Limitations

• State/public: accessible, equal opportunity; but resources vary.

• Private: better facilities, smaller classes; but elitist, expensive.

• Selective: high achievement; but excludes weaker students.

• Non‑selective: inclusive; but achievement levels vary.

• Single‑sex: tailored teaching; but less social mixing.

• Co‑educational: promotes gender equality; but stereotypes may persist.

• Faith schools: strong values; but may limit diversity.

• International: global outlook; but costly, less accessible.

• Ball (2003): showed how school type affects achievement and reproduces class inequalities.

Alternative Approaches to Education

• Online learning: flexible, global access; but requires self‑discipline and technology.

• Homeschooling: personalised pace, strong family bond; but limited socialisation.

• Unschooling: child‑led, interest‑based; but lacks structure and qualifications.

• Vocational learning: practical job skills; but may restrict academic progression.

• Progressive schooling: student‑centered, creative, critical thinking; but less exam focus.

Strengths & Limitations

• Online: wide resources, but digital divide.

• Homeschooling: tailored learning, but parent workload.

• Unschooling: independence, but risk of gaps in knowledge.

• Vocational: job‑ready, but undervalued compared to academic routes.

• Progressive: creativity, but may not suit exam systems.

• Illich (1971): argued for “deschooling society,” promoting informal and alternative learning.

• Dewey (Progressivist): education should be experiential, democratic, and prepare students for life.

NOTES DONE BY FARIDA SABET

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PREVIOUS TOPIC

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE NEXT TOPIC

CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO THE NOTES MENU

Didn’t understand something?

Ask your question down below and we'll answer it.