Tension between Schooling and Work: Political and Sociological Perspectives

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Work and Learning

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Answer 1
While considering various political and sociological ideologies, tension exists among
various perspectives on the purpose of schooling during the transition from school to work.
A political standpoint focuses on the tension which exists between government, employees,
schools and trainers which are connected with a wide range of power relations, values,
practices and conflicts (Spencer & Kelly, 2013). From the perspective of a sociological
standpoint, functionalism plays a crucial role in driving the tension as well. The transition
from school to work is significant, and in order to understand it thoroughly, it is important
to look back at the history of education and schooling policies adopted in Canada (Kuron,
Lyons, Schweitzer & Ng, 2015). In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, the
Canadian education system was informal and voluntary where the children learn and
develop their skills from parents, adults, Churches, Sunday school, and other families.
During this period, schooling was not only focused on moral and intellectual improvements,
however, it also focuses on economic and social development factors of children. The
cultural and physical survival techniques were taught to children by indigenous people
before European arrived. The ideological world was started to accept by the global citizens
in the 18th century.
After the introduction of these policies, the aim of schools changes and the objective
of schools were to socialize students in order to support the economic and social structure.
During this period, the regulations and acts of school were amended in order to support
new political governance. Self-disciple was a key element which was taught to children
during this period. Schools become a key part of the state which was focused on supporting
the national systems of organized education (Kuron, Lyons, Schweitzer & Ng, 2015). During
this period, the curriculum of the schools was decided by the state which was focused on
socializing students to social and economic structures. The state was not focused on
teaching literacy and structured education to students. The objective of schools was not
focused on preparing students for meeting the demands of employers, however, this
ideology shifted in the 1930s-1990s. During this period, the curriculums of schools were
specifically designed on providing freedom to students where they can choose between
selecting their preferred career. During the 1990s, the Canadian Government decided to cut

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back on the investment made in the public education, and they also decided to increase the
costs of further and higher education (Earl, Hargreaves & Ryan, 2013). During this time, the
schools were focused on establishing curriculums in order to meet the needs of employers.
It is assumed by Liberal ideology that those students who get better grades in the
school are more likely to get better jobs and achievement in their careers. Based on this
assumption, this theory provides that the purpose of schooling is to raise the social elite in
companies by ensuring that students receive better grades in schools. On the other hand,
three ideologies are comprised into the Neo-conservative ideology. These three ideologies
include fiscal retrenchment, increasing demand for schools and universities to mimic
corporate management techniques, and back to basics in educational institutions (Porter,
2012). As per this ideology, the basic is implied in which the traditional curriculum approach
is focused by using teaching styles along with standardized testing. In this approach, there is
a close link established between the schools’ curriculum and the needs of employers. As per
this ideology, the purpose of schooling is to ensure that students match the job demands in
the current labour market. Emile Durkheim has developed Functionalism ideology which
focuses on analyzing how society remains stable (Lehmann, 2013). As per this ideology, each
part of society plays a crucial function in maintaining its stability. In case a society becomes
disorganized, then it should change its functions in order to stabilize itself. As per this
ideology, in the evolving society and its demands, it is important the education and
schooling levels should evolve too. Individuals are responsible for their own development
based on which they should focus on constantly improving the skills and education level to
meet the demand of employers in the evolving market.
All these political and sociological ideologies have a substantial influence on the
trades due to which tensions exist between employers, governments and unions. It
becomes important the schooling curriculums are implemented accordingly to align it with
the employers need (Spencer & Kelly, 2013). Moreover, the government also focused on
proving tax incentives, apprenticeships and other monetary support in order to ensure that
skills and knowledge of students meet the demand of employers. Furthermore, employers
also prefer to train employees in order to ensure that they meet the skills required. Taylor
(2006) highlighted an example of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) in
which students who complete 10th grade and are the age of 16 years are allowed to