Critical Theories and Analytical Perspectives in Education Analysis

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of critical theories in education, exploring various perspectives and their implications. It begins with an introduction to critical theory, emphasizing its importance in understanding and addressing issues within the education system, such as inequality in access to education. The essay then delves into specific theories, starting with Weber's theory and its application to the educational system in Pakistan, highlighting inequalities based on locality and language. The capability theory is discussed, focusing on its emphasis on individual well-being and opportunities, particularly in the context of language education. Feminist theory and Bourdieu's theory of practice are also examined, offering further insights into the complexities of educational practices and social relations. The essay concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the significance of these theories in shaping educational policies and practices to promote a more equitable and effective system.

Critical Theories and
Analytical Perspectives in
Education
1

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Weber theory...............................................................................................................................4
Capability theory.........................................................................................................................5
Feminist Theory:..........................................................................................................................9
Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice (CX):........................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
2

INTRODUCTION
Critical theory in education defined about how education system can be established to the
best offers for education can be provided to large number of general public. Critical theory
analysis gives opportunity to understand different perspectives available in the education system.
There are number of disadvantaged members of the society who do not possess access to
education (Appleby and et.al., 2012). Critical analysis of educational theory helps to analyse
these issues so that all the problems available in the educational system can be addressed.
Society and culture of a national or society is evaluated on the basis of this theory and best
suitable solutions through policies and regulations are implemented. Critical theory is important
so that all the issues available in the educational system can be resolved in complete manner.
Identifying these issues helps in generating appropriate solutions through various policies and
government intervention at each level in the economy.
Weberianism Thoery theory is developed by Max Weber who was German sociologist as
well as author of The Protestant Ethics and The Spirit of Capitalism. Max Weber has contributed
to modern sociology and he is considered as the pillar of discipline. Contribution of Max Weber
of bureaucratic is the ideal type of administrative theory. This is one of the important theories in
educational perspective. In education and schooling sector bureaucracy ensured the rationality,
stability as well as accountability. This is effective in order to meet with the mass administration
and Max Weber's bureaucracy theory is very important in education system. This theory of
education will lead to have significant impact on operation as well as the way in which all task
and activities will be conducting.
 Bureaucracy theory is considered to be important as it provide proper guidelines and
frameworks on which all task and activities needs to be conducted. This includes various
rules and regulation on which all operational task needs to be conducted. This theory is
developed on the assumption that individual will be able to perform task in better manner
when proper guidelines are provided.
This theory helps in providing appropriate and accurate guidelines to educational sector. So that
all activities and task can be conducted in effective and efficient manner. Bureaucratic theory
will lead to provide appropriate ideas and concept on which different task will be performed
(Arthur 2011).
3

 This will lead to have significant impact on managing different activities and task. This
theory is important for flow of formal chain of command as well as optimum utilization
of resources. With the help on bureaucracy theory seniors authorities will be able to
provide appropriate command to so that all resources as well as raw materials can be
appropriate used with in educational sector.
 Bureaucracy theory will lead to develop proper and formal structure with in organisation
and sector. This is helpful in increasing uniformity with in different operation and
structure. When all task and activities are conducting in proper structural manner desired
goals and objectives can be easily achieve.
 In this theory different rules and procedures are developed that will lead to increase the
performance as well as completion of activities in set time frame. Bureaucracy theory is
considered as very strict form of conducting any task. This is very helpful in enhancing
the behaviour as well as attitude of person (Bamber, 2014). When a person is bounded
with different set of rules and regulation then they will be able to concentrate more and
focus in required task.
 Selection of this theory will helps in clearly define as well as explaining ideas and
procedure about the roles and responsibilities. Bureaucracy theory is important as this
accurately define the right way of doing task. This will reduce the time as well as cost
consumption as each and every person is well aware about what they have to do in order
to achieve set goals of action.
Weber theory
Application of Weber theory of satisfaction helps in developing a multidimensional
approach to social satisfaction that reflects the interplay among wealth, prestige and power.
Power can be reflected in the form of status in the society and economic order of class.
Educational system in Pakistan and various governmental policies applied on the society when
evaluated on the basis of Weber theory of satisfaction the results in generation of huge amount of
inequality for access of education. One of the differences made in the educational system is on
the basis of locality as individual of urban areas possess more access to good education then rural
areas. In rural areas the situation is very poor regarding rate of literacy as no source of education
is available there (Brock-Utne, 2010). When government introduce some educational institutions
in the rural areas then students available with high power and upper cast are provided
4

opportunity to study there. English is second language in the Pakistan but high rate of illiteracy
made this language a challenge to speak and understand by number of individuals of Pakistan.
An educational institution of Pakistan is operating as a Hindi medium boards where more
and more concentration is provided on Hindi language. This facility is available in the urban area
as children in the rural area are provided with education only in Urdu language. This system is
generating large amount of inequality in the educational system of Pakistan. Government
through its policies are initiating to introduce English as a medium of instruction form schooling
to higher education. This is a policy and its implementation requires more and more amount of
equality in the educational system of Pakistan. As per Weber theory each group in the society
possess unequal access to all the facilities available in the market. Government intervention
through various policies to generate equal access to each individual for education is at its initial
stage and requires more and more effective stapes to be implemented effectively. Enhancing
language education is important in Pakistan to educational system so that quality of life can be
improved and economic development can take place in the country (Brock-Utne, Desai and
Qonno, 2013).
Capability theory
The capability theory is a theoretical concept which really includes two main
philosophical arguments: first, the argument that perhaps the right to attain well-being is of main
ethical value and secondly, that even the right to attain well-being was to be interpreted in order
to effectively of individuals or student at various levels. Therefore, their actual opportunity to
become in future and what are the main capability which can appreciate them to attain the
desired goals. The method was established through a number of common moral models, such as
(partial) social justice models, or creation ethics statements which are supportive to develop an
understanding among people regarding the importance of use of English in various elements of
life. This has also contributed to a modern and strongly interdisciplinary social research literature
concluding that use of second language is always an important factor in the economic growth of
entire country. In updated estimates and social metrics of different policy and reform which is
primarily utilized by the Pakistani government in growing studies for various student all over the
country and other person from outside. Martha Nussbaum (2011) defined the basic approach to
capacity as two groups, one based on comparable standard of living and another on justice
5

hypothesis (Bruthiaux, 2012). The two clusters will share an emphasis on what individuals can
do and be, as well as share a dedication to five principles
 Seeing each individual as something of an end
 Concentrating on rights and freedom instead of accomplishment
 Internationalism of values
 Becoming extremely concerned with enshrined inequalities
 Attributing a mashing role to government.
The capacity method, in the broader sense, asks us what details we can look for whether we want
to determine how far someone's existence is progressing on or have gone; that kind of knowledge
is required in every aspect of very well-being or human growth. Because the capacity method
claims that the appropriate kind of knowledge involves human roles (beings and deeds) and
capacities (opportunities to attain certain beings and deeds), the method offers part of what has
been required for behavioural well-being similarities. The policies are aimed specifically at
introducing developments and improvements to English language teaching and learning at the
college level in Pakistan. With these changes, Pakistani institutions are required to play their
part in having students gain maximum English skills as students will lead to the growth of
Pakistani community (Chabbot and Ramirez, 2014). As in present time all most every country
needs highly skilled, capable and professionally talented staff which can understand and speak
two or more language that support in doing different operation across international boundaries
for company. Making policies and principle regarding addition of one more compulsory
language for student is very much beneficial for Pakistan. This will lead student to get Higher
Jobs and making major multinational companies to set their offices is respective native as they
can get talented employees without expanding huge cost. Moreover it also implies two
significant teaching functions. First, it must be structured to enable the learners to participate in
with "positive" dialogue and events. Second, the position of the instructor must be
conceptualised. The attitude to capacity is also incorrectly viewed as an equality philosophy or a
principle of social or distributive justice. Such interpretation is incorrect, but it is entirely
appropriate considering the particular discussions in which the key thinkers who opposed the
path to ability rendered their interventions. The ability method determines what can be
considered for interpersonal assessments and thereby offers a significant feature of social or
social ownership accountability theory and more is required. It is also stated that in the context of
6

second language environments like those of Pakistan whereby English is a second language and
Pakistani settings do not provide rich and accurate English feedback round the world to the
students, insufficient and incomplete intermediate training could not aid in studying for the
student at any university level (Farooq, 2010).
The principle of experience by Pierre Bourdieu is indeed an overlooked standard of modern
social theory. This incorporates the first study of the functional intelligibility guiding action by a
cognitive scientist with an interesting viewpoint on how behaviour influences the nature of social
processes but is therefore perpetuated. The principle of experience by Pierre Bourdieu is indeed
an overlooked standard of modern social theory. This incorporates the first study of the
functional intelligibility guiding action by a cognitive scientist with an interesting viewpoint on
how behaviour influences the nature of social processes but is therefore perpetuated. A further
practice emerged out of a more pragmatic technical attitude. The origins of this practice lie in the
principle of traits; which is, that everyone one (Student) is born with specific characteristics
which create their way of living, learning, occupation different and most appropriate for them. A
more modern variation of this method is the evaluation of instructor expertise or abilities in order
to develop professional skills. The definition of occupation is problematic and in its favour, it has
all the characteristics of deceptive neutrality (Jalal, 2014). Job is a common term which has been
unquestioningly introduced into the scientific vocabulary as well as a societal unconscious
brought with that as well. This is the result of a recent construction function and portrayal of a
culture that has fallen into this community's own research. This would be a method of
questioning how institutional changes are embodied in the prevailing language of modern
managerialism and if this ‘corporate-model bureaucracy' is limited to productive economic
control of human and financial resources (acting as the) prevailing type of public policy and
public service in order to render government more competitive for fewer.
Education has a strong presence in society relations. The education is never merely a
straightforward assemblage of facts found somewhere in a country's documents and schools. It's
all part of a specific practice, discovery by anyone, legal intelligence dream by some community.
It derives from the cultural, economic and financial contradictions, pressures, and adjustments
that coordinate and reorganize people. Conservatism through its own nature declares the policy
to be viewed one direction (Government of Pakistan, 2009).
7

One might claim that conservative assumes that little can be achieved for the very first period.
But this is misleading in certain respects in the present circumstance. Even if teacher in the
university see in a far more radical movement which means that student have the proper
understanding about the respective topic. Liberal ideology today is more the agenda of change
not necessarily, but the notion of doing little for the initial period is simply not a valid
description about what is happening on either in school or anywhere else. In reality,
conservatism has represented various things at the same time and various locations. Often it may
require provocative actions; at certain occasions it may include taking extremely pro-status
action. This can be seen in different University and college of Pakistan which are now more
focused to improve the second language as they understand the importance of multi-language
people in the nation can leads to higher success in present time. There have been two key
explanations for assigning authority to other forms of information: epistemically, where the
categories of expertise, ideas, and reasoning processes are viewed as accurate, undisputed,
effective guides; and strategically, when the forms are regarded as being utilized by dominant
social classes, or to regulate admission by qualified tests into certain classes. Both explanations
provide solid grounds for promoting social justice where all children in the school have the
ability to be taught such beneficial forms of education (Kenny and Savage, 2017). Trying to deny
Powerful knowledge within a certain classes avoids redirecting students through low-paid jobs,
even if they may not be adequately trained for this job, since schools know nothing about the
technical skills workers require.
Suggesting the philosophy of curricula has a fundamental function have two significances. One
relates to the laws (or norms) that govern curriculum development and implementation, while the
other relates to the idea that schooling often involves certain basic principles regarding the right
individual and the "healthy community." It corresponds to the consequences of our analyses for
what a "successful program" would entail. Similarly, the meaning of a critical position for
curriculum philosophy that is disconnected from any moral ramifications is difficult to
understand-criticisms could not be results of them. The policy of my nation is introducing major
improvements in the school curriculum it's worrying because so little is known of the perspective
of education philosophy. The implication of "critiques without alternatives" is to endorse what
the distinguished sociologist and cultural theorist Stuart Hall once referred to ironically as a
"curriculum of life" in effect, unless life is itself a curriculum, this means no curriculum at all
8

and by implication any schools either. The first problem is that schooling is a realistic practice
such as commuting and education or connectivity. This is not same to the areas of investigation
of mathematics or theory or philosophy that seek facts regarding humanity and the environment
and the environment we share. Education is all about doing stuff for and about someone else;
pedagogy is also a partnership of power for which students have to assume responsibilities which
is where the program falls in. First importantly, schooling is about allowing individuals to gain
information that brings them outside their background, so they will be unable to obtain the
awareness if someone did not go to school or university (Mansoor, 2015).
Feminist Theory:
As per the views of Freeman, (2019), feminist theory relates to expansion of sexism into
political, abstract or literary debate. This is meant to explain the essence of inequality between
the genders. Throughout a number of areas like anthropology, culture, cultural relations,
psychoanalysis, home economics, literary works, education, and ideology, it explores women's
and men's cultural norms, perspectives, desires, duties, and feminist affairs. Feminist theory
centres on the study of gender discrimination. Concepts covered in feminism involve sexism,
objectification, inequality, hegemony, stereotyping, colonial history, and modern art as well as
aesthetic. Feminist theory attempts to explain the social processes and origins of gender
discrimination and its cultural implications. As in several other social institutions, educational
structures are marked by differential representation as well as women's opportunities. Feminists
believe that culture is run by people–in simple words, this is a patriarchal. Feminists are also of
the view that culture is cantered on social conflict. They claim that females in social structure
have traditionally been disadvantaged, and also that males have generally had more influence
than females. Feminists believe that's unfair and intend to adjust (Mansoor, Meraj and Tahir,
2014. There are several different philosophies of feminism, but they all have something in
general they focus at the disparities between males and females in social structure and seek to see
whether such issues can be fixed. Feminists argue that education is primary socializing agent
which assists to uphold patriarchy. On a Global scale they look at the environment.
As per Acuff, (2018), feminist pedagogy is a philosophy of pedagogy based on feminist
theory. This comprises a range of epistemological ideas, instructional methods, material
techniques, activities in classroom and interactions between teachers and students. As well as
other forms of radical and analytical pedagogy, feminist pedagogy believes awareness to be
9

socially created. Feminist pedagogy has the intention of introducing a higher standard in the
classroom or perhaps even stripping away the tradition schools carry. For example, progressive
classroom, with no binary standard are not of better use as they create confusion for the teacher
and the class member (Mansoor and et.al., 2010). Generally, feminist pedagogy introduces a
modern way of education, in which the expertise and abilities are not confined to classroom but
also to society overall. Classrooms employing feminist pedagogy using various and varied
environments found within space as tools to promote learning through use; life's experiences as
lectures, breaking down awareness, and gazing at gender, ethnicity, and status as one. Feminist
pedagogy discusses the power inequalities that occur in many monoculture educational systems,
and seeks to de-centre this force. Dominant power system characterizes teachers as better
to students/learners within most conventional educational structures. Feminist pedagogy opposes
this hierarchical structure of classroom, aiming to cultivate more egalitarian environments that
operate with the assumption that all instructors and learners are subjects, but not
objects. Students are urged to challenge patriarchal attitudes of passiveness and take charge their
learning rather than.
Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice (CX):
According to views of Brown, Morgan and Aldous, (2016), Bourdieu's Theory of
Practice is one instance of sociological methodology used in many fields of educational study to
investigate the interrelationships between students and physical, social and societal dimensions
of schools and communities, and how those form student experience. The sociological
philosophy of Bourdieu specifies a research emphasis which is narrower than the phenomenon or
persons under review (Rahman, 2018).
Bourdieu's Theory of Practice is modern empirical science. His analytical frameworks
serve as analytical and empirical mechanisms for structured social phenomenon research.
Practical theory perceives behaviour within a real context, but also interprets the social system as
being internalized within person/individual. Practice philosophy more precisely defines practice
to include more than person's actions; behaviours may include social and institutional
interactions, processes and structures, as well as importance that practice has in life of individual.
Formally, Bourdieu outlined practices as result of field, phenotypic expression and capital
connections: '(habitus) (capital)] + fields = practices '. As per Bourdieu, the activity of a person is
both organized within occupied sector by his habitus and capital, and organized so that they form
10

future action. Field, habitus, and capital are individually behaving relational structures, that
couldn't be interpreted solely (Rahman, 2012).
Bourdieu stated that it is important to consider people and their certain behaviours
in context of social space review. This is with such social attitude that the idea of field aspect of
Bourdieu developed. Fields refers to social spheres instead of physical areas and is thus
characterized by the persons that inhabit those realms; that is, their "private relations structures,
organized private roles structures."
Habitus is the "history which has become nature" of an entity. Habitus is the
internalization or manifestation of one's past, comprising all situations and interactions that form
the manner of doing and behaving of the person inside and perceiving social environment.
Schools are environments where students expend a considerable time-period and therefore a
considerable field in defining (reproduction or transformation) their participants habitus.
Bourdieu theory states that schools are for socializing students by training them for working
world. In fact, emphasizing the schools teaches students things differently and in general interact
socially them.
The potential of a person to excel or maneuverer in a sector (i.e. their role in the area) is
ascertained by its resources. Capital relates to assets which are created from establishing and
sustaining social interactions, structures, expertise and expertise that can involve social and
physical resources and property. Through acceptance from others the importance of capital is
established by the sector (Ramanathan, 2015). In this way, the capital of a person will differ in
value throughout fields. For instance, the online gambling skills and expertise of a pupil, which
ensures powerful status in online gaming area, can have little to no significance in school sector.
There has been sufficient proof that is significant in schooling, both at micro both macro levels,
social support. for instance Kids of parents interested in child's schooling, tend to do more than
others that are not. The ethic of ambition brings additional meaning. Also, schools with a good
attachment and parent participation are effective at the micro stage. A further element affecting
success is the parent-to-parent relations. Usefulness of teachers may likewise be measured in
terms of their social capital. At other terms, the attributes of a group leaders influence the success
of the school. Eventually, on the macro-level, there are variations between countries that could
be due to discrepancies in their economic stability history culture. Education and the ideals
promoted in schools greatly affect the principles which define a community. Consequently,
11

fostering social resources at national level will appear to contribute explicitly and implicitly to
better academic success (Rassool and Mansoor, 2013).
As per Lyke, (2017), bourdieu's contribution to educational sociology is focused
on the professional observations in the French school system, through which he theorized school
as an institution of cultural hegemony and preservation of institutions of social status. In fact,
educational institutions impose on the ruling groups the expertise and abilities and in effect
legitimize them as learners scholastic intellectual ability among these social divisions. Bourdieu's
philosophy of experience has been widely reviewed by professional scholars and critics for its
importance to current educational studies. Practice theory reflects on the implicit, ambiguous or
secret processes and frameworks within schooling, including student socioeconomic inequality,
the area of control education, and reproductive role and function of schools. Bourdieu has
published widely about the evolutionary aspect of the areas of science. His analyses of French
education system presented the concept of symbolic aggression in which society is enforced in
such manner that this is perceived as valid on individuals or classes. The second problem is that
schooling often involves a technical operation. In the days where most people would not go to
school, schooling was a straightforward issue that was given up as a mere continuation of the rest
of their careers by mother and older citizens. It requested little information except the
understanding and experiences of growing up of men. When cultures become more diverse and
more segregated, specialist organizations evolved classes, universities and, of necessity, colleges
and schooling has become increasingly standardized, while also a functional practice. Curricula
are the form that this advanced knowledge of education receives, which essentially determines
the type of people who are taught. Teaching methods ought to be recognized as sources of
advanced expertise and we can create improved curricula and increase learning experiences. It's
these aims that offer educational philosophy meaning even like it is improved care and effective
medications that offer medical research meaning. But, as an instructional term, back onto the
classroom that have the main objective to grow the understanding of student regarding second
language (Roy-Campbell, 2009).
In the present time, it has been observed that English is really the ticket for advancement
with upward economic mobility'. It is also referred as the secret to economic and social
development' are several typical beliefs that are interspersed in the structured discussions of
official preparation and government conferences. More specifically, these beliefs represent the
12