Marxism and Education?

Question

What, in simple terms, does the point that Marxists 'view the education system as an institution where students are taught a ruling class ideology' actually mean?

Thanks

Answer 1

Terrific -and compelling- question!

The reply from Jesus N pretty much nails the overarching philosophical position of the Marxist/Education equation.

Another way -possibly simpler- is to consider that "institutional bias and discrimination" is an inherent aspect of all organizing efforts, whether it's to produce widgets in a factory setting, or instruction and learning in an educational setting.  As such, it makes sense that a system of policies, rules, regulations will be established to facilitate the success of the institution's goals (e.g., 100,000 widgets produced per shift; 85% graduation rate every June).

Now comes the tricky part -and the essence of Marxism.  In the consideration of those polices, rules, and regulations, the prevailing model has been -as Jesus N articulated- that those at the top (the dominant group),, create the game-plan (so to speak) for everyone beneath that dominant group -whether or not the policies, rules, and regulations are actually good or beneficial for the group(s) below the dominant group is not necessarily a consideration.  In other words, the dominant group is in control and, regardless of what they intend to produce (i.e., widgets or educated people), their prime concern is to remain the dominant group.

If you accept that as a working assumption, then your question gets filtered through this lens of ruling class ideology (dominant class -in America, since the beginning, it has been -and remains- white men with control over the factors of production: i) labor, ii) land, and iii) capital).

So, when we stop and consider who wrote the textbooks, who crafted the systems, who has the most to gain, etc. it's not difficult to conclude that an elite ruling class exists and that one of the major institutions this elite group has control over is our education system.

I'll conclude with this nugget: today, based on empirical evidence and astonishing brain-based research findings, we know that the old model of instruction (lecturing) is the LEAST effective method for transferring information into knowledge and for learning, retention, and application to occur.  In spite of that, what do you think is the predominant form of instruction in our education system?  Yep, lecturing!

Answer 2

Basically, how children are treated in the school system sets up their expectations for how they will be treated in life - the hidden curriculum.  This means that working class children experience and then internalise the expectations others have of them - leading to their own reduced expectations in life :-)

Answer 3

it means that marxists think that schools brainwash kids to believe that they have to obey people with money

Answer 4

marx would say that schools are only there to make money, a child can be trained from an early age on how to work and earn money,

i think the idea is that student can learn a trade and earn money for the bosses at the same time

Answer 5

It means they undergo scoial conditioning that will foster acceptance of their place in the heirarchy of society. Whether they fall into the category of Proletariat (working class - labour force) or petty Bourgeoise (middle class)  Bourgeoise (Upper class) Aristocracy (rough translation in contempory terminology)

Marxism is essentially opposed to the exploitation by the wealthy by controlling the means of production and economy over the working classes.. In essence it is a belief that the value that the labour force adds to a product (consumer surplus) should be owned by the worker.. The discrepency in wages from this surplus is a measore of the exploitation of the wealthy over the worker. It's core principle is essentially that people should be born equal and with equality of opportunity.

i'd say personally its a very noble and just philosophy but then I am not wealthy or aristocracy so I guess believing the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few doesn't cost me anything!