• The purpose of education • Factors that influence educational achievement • Provision of education in Ireland • Factors that influence equality of opportunity in education • Groups that experience inequality of opportunity in education • Initiatives for improving access to education
Education is a fundamental right. In Ireland it is compulsory for children to participate from the ages of six to sixteen, or until they have completed three years of second-level education. The Department of Education and Skills oversees the provision of education in Ireland.
The purpose of education
Education has an important role to play in individuals’ socialisation, development and preparation for work.
Socialisation Socialisation is the process whereby an individual learns the norms, values, customs and social skills appropriate to behave in a manner acceptable to society, e.g. patience and respecting authority. It begins at home (primary socialisation), but continues and is reinforced during schooling (secondary socialisation). Socialisation at school can be:
• formal: in the classroom, e.g. developing moral values through the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum
• informal: through the hidden curriculum (knowledge conveyed to students without ever being explicitly taught), e.g. developing the ability to share and be punctual. Rewards and sanctions are used to encourage children to conform.
A well-planned system of education can produce socialised individuals. Socialisation is especially important during formative years, as it enables a child to fit into society.
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Outline the contribution of education to the socialisation of young children. (12) HL
