Social cohesion and Education

It is claimed, that education is one of the strongest indicators of social and economic situation in any states. The basics of personal believe attitudes toward the world and socialization principles are established in the period of studying at educational institutions. Education system is considered as a key factor of future social and economic situation of a country. Green (2011) states, that there have always been links between education and negative social outcomes, like high rate of depression, law level of trust and cooperation, and high levels of violent crime. In order to understand the role of language educational policy in social cohesion it is essential to find the way of education influence on social cohesion.

The study of Green, Janmaat & Cheng (2011) shows that unequal distribution of education in society exacerbates the social tension and provokes conflicts among social levels of a state. In the era of high-level competition, shifting borders, globalization, and growing birth rate there are less opportunities for young minds to get equal qualitative education for everyone. Educational institutions have got the possibility to choose brightest students for better education. The division among students based on their knowledge and skills has always been the main factor of decreasing social cohesion in societies (Gradstein & Justman, 2001). Moreover, the research made by LLAKES(Center for Learning and Life Changes in Knowledge Economies and Societies, 2011)has found that in the UK students’ academic achievement at schools is directly connected with the home background and social composition of the school attended.Hence, the status and social role of a studentplays crucial role for his further education.

The role of a school as a tool of individuals’ socialization has always been argued by different scholars. Based on the theories of Kant, Durkheim (1973) stated that “the most important function of education is methodic socialization” when a young child studies how to be a part of a social group, discipline himself, act in accordions of social rules and, at the same time, preserve individual uniqueness and character.Another researcher, Parsons (1969, as cited inKantzara, 2011), believed that “education has to teach students to feel responsible to fulfillthe role they undertake” which will be a foundation of socialization of students. He argued that educational institutions should provide an environment for students to be an essential part of a society which has certain social order respected by every member.

The diversity of languages among students and their different ethnic backgrounds could also be an issue of decreasing the level of social cohesion. Having problems in learning new language, minority students could face more problems with socialization in a class which can lead to the difficulties in study process.

To sum up, the role of education in social cohesion of a community is crucial. The roots of socialization and world views of a person are established during his study at educational institutions. Apart from providing general knowledge and skills a school can give youngsters an environment of social interactions and communication.

References

Green, A. (2011) “Lifelong Learning, Equality and Social Cohesion”.European Journal of Education.

Green, A., Janmaat, J.G. & Cheng, H. (2011). “Social Cohesion: Converging and Diverging Trends”. National Institute Economic Review.

Gradstein, M., &Justman, M. (2001).Education, social cohesion and economic growth.

Durkheim, E. (1973). “Emile Durkheim on morality and society”.University of Chicago Press.

Kantzara, V. (2011).“The relation of education to social cohesion”.Social Cohesion and Development.