Understanding Societies: Meritocracy and Non-Merit Factors in the Australian Education System

Understanding Societies

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
Meritocracy is a myth in relation to education system in Australia............................................3
Non-merit factors that can influence students' academic performance and outcomes................5
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES.....................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
A society is a group of peoplewho involved in persistent social interaction Batifoulier, da
Silva & Math, (2017). For better understanding societies, there is requirement of analysing
behavioural, economic, social and others factors. This study is going to discuss meritocracy for
knowing whether it is a myth or reality in Australia as an educational system. It will also discuss
some non-merit factors that can greatly impact on overall academic performance of students.
Meritocracy is a myth in relation to education system in Australia
Before discussing meritocracy as whether it is a myth or not it is important to know that
what is meritocracy in education system. In this regard, it is found that meritocracy is an
administrative system under which advancement within the system turns on merits. In education
system, meritocracy refers a system under which people or students are being rewarded on the
basis of their ability, talent and performance rather than privilege, class and wealth. It is also
stated that dean also believed that educational system of all countries should be meritocracy
because it makes students feel valued and motivate them towards improving their academic
performance and achieving higher marks.
In regard to educational system of Australia and other countries it is found that education
system of Australia focus on parental economic resources or wealth rather than academic merit.
Instead of meritocracy, educational system of Australia and other countries have parentocracy.
So, from this it can be said that meritocracy is a myth in regard to education system of Australia.
It is also stated in this article that in educational system of Australia, parents’ wealth is being
considered as the main key determinants of children; s academic performance of students.
Education officials as well as government of Australia may claim that education system is the
pillar of meritocracy and as per this ability and efforts of students should be key to academic
success. But there are only middle class people or parents who negotiate education system on
behalf of their children's ability and efforts (Our Students Do Not Get that Equal Chance:
Teachers' Perspectives of Meritocracy, 2021). Wealthy parents make use of economic resources
for:
 Enrolling their children in schools and tutor activities in order to make them able for
getting selected in specific selective school tests.
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