The role of schools in bringing social change

¶ … role of schools in the bringing of social change. In order to achieve our aim, we present certain theories that bear this idea with a succinct historical presentation of the influence of these theories on both school and society.

The role that school plays as a conduit of change in the society as well as the development of the society is a fact that has been widely acknowledged in our contemporary society (SociologyGuide, 2010). It is quite normal for human being to demand and crave for change whenever there are certain elements in their daily lives that suggest strongly that the needed for more improved ways of meeting their needs. Maclver (1942) postulated that social change occurs as a response to various and numerous forms of changes that occur both in our social as well as our nonsocial environment. The actual role of education in bringing about social change has however not been fully deciphered. This is evident from the work of Robin (2002), who question on whether the role of education in bringing about social change is active or proactive. It is clear from extant literature that the earlier educational systems were instituted in order to bring about certain specific ways of living and norms in the society. The modern education however has been noted to be non-insistent upon the need to transmit certain ways of living to the persons being taught. It is therefore evident from this that the traditional educational system was tailored to be fit for a society which was static and it lacked the dynamism that is present in the current educational system.

Theories of schooling

In order to fully understand the role played by school as a vehicle of social change, it is necessary to outline some of the theories that back this notion from both the historical and contemporary perspective. The introduction of education to humanity has been very influential in the elimination of suffering, poverty and despair (Steiner,2000). The evolution of the schooling system however began with the introduction of the mercantilist schools and then the physiocrats.

The conflict theory

This theory purports that education is intended for bringing about social inequality so as to preserve power society's bourgeoisie. Their view is concurrent to the one advanced by the functionalists at certain points such as the view that education is meant as a positive contribution to a society in terms of bring order.

The symbolist theory

This theory limits its view of the education system to classroom situations. Their focus is on the influence of teacher's expectations of the students' performance, their perceptions as well as their attitudes.

Conclusion

Education is the greatest contributor to the society's progress towards freedoms form poverty, disease and even war. It however has resulted to certain social ills such as the development of certain concepts of oppression as well as death. The positive effects to the society however are dominant than the negative ones. What we can learn from history regarding the influence of the theories of education on both school and society is that mankind has learnt to adapt to change through the acquisition of the necessary knowledge that is imparted through various institutions of learning. The theories of education are therefore integral to the humanity in its quest to achieve prosperity and peace.