Cambridge IGCSE™ and O Level Sociology: TEACHER’S RESOURCE
Topic worksheet 5.1
The functionalist view on the role of education
1
Read the following text and answer the questions below.
Functionalists see education as an important agent of socialisation and social control. Through education,
children learn society’s norms and values, as well as subjects which help to prepare them for work and adult
life. A key function of education is to promote a value consensus and make all children feel that they belong
to their society.
Most education systems assess learners through standardised formal tests or examinations. According to
functionalists, the grades that learners achieve in these examinations are based on merit. This means that
learners get the grades they deserve, based on their effort and ability. This merit-based system is referred
to as a meritocracy. Functionalists believe that education is based on equal opportunities, allowing for
social mobility. To help all learners to achieve the grades they deserve – based on their ability – functionalists
support setting by ability, so that all learners can be taught at an appropriate pace and level.
It is functional for society to have the best people in the most important jobs and for everyone to gain
a job that is suited to their ability. This is known as role allocation and, according to functionalists, it is
an important function of education. Functionalists also believe that, to help the economy of society,
education should be vocational; that is, it should teach learners the skills and knowledge they need
for particular jobs.
a
Give examples of some of the norms and values which children may learn in the education system.
b
What term describes all the things children learn at school which are not part of the formal,
official curriculum?
c
What is meant by the term ‘value consensus’? Give some examples of the ways in which education
might help to promote this.
d
Explain what is meant by the term ‘meritocracy’.
e
Do you agree that education in your country is a meritocracy? Do all learners get the grades
they deserve, purely based on effort and ability?
f
What other factors may affect the grades that learners achieve?
g
Do you think that putting learners into different sets based on their ability will improve
or prevent equality of opportunity? Explain your answer.
h
Explain what is meant by the term ‘role allocation’.
i
Do you agree that the subjects studied and the grades achieved in school are the best way to sort
people into appropriate jobs? Explain why or why not.
j
Look at the terms in bold in the text above. Write definitions for any terms you have not
already defined.
Cambridge IGCSE™ and O Level Sociology – Roberts © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023
1
Cambridge IGCSE™ and O Level Sociology: TEACHER’S RESOURCE
2
Copy and complete the table below, identifying strengths and limitations of the functionalist view
on the role of education.
Strengths of the functionalist view
Limitations of the functionalist view
Cambridge IGCSE™ and O Level Sociology – Roberts © Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2023
2