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By the end of this subtopic, you should be able to:
5.1.1 Formal and informal education:
5.1.2 Different types of schools:
5.1.3 Alternative approaches to education:
Education plays a fundamental role in human societies by facilitating the learning of skills, knowledge, and values necessary for social participation. This process, known as socialisation, begins at home and continues throughout an individual's entire life through secondary socialisation.
Key Concept: Socialisation is the process through which children learn the skills, knowledge and values they need to live in their society.
Approximately one century ago, few children globally attended school. Today, the majority of children worldwide participate in formal education systems. This dramatic shift has made the sociology of education an increasingly important field of study.
The sociology of education examines critical questions including:
Formal education refers to structured, systematic learning that takes place in institutional settings such as schools and colleges. It has several defining characteristics:
Historical Perspective
For most of human history, education was predominantly informal. Children learned essential skills through:
Until relatively recently, this remained the primary educational method in poorer countries and communities, as formal schools did not exist or were inaccessible.
Resistance to Formal Education
The growth of formal education systems faced significant resistance from various groups:
Contemporary Informal Education
Today, the term informal education encompasses:
Critical Term: The informal learning that occurs during lessons through the structure and organization of schooling is called the hidden curriculum.
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