EDUCATION AS A VEHICLE OF SOCIAL REPRODUCTION AND SOCIAL CHANGE : THE CASE OF SINGAPORE

Abstract

Confucius once said, “In education there should be no class distinction." (Analects, XV: 38) The great teacher was responsible for opening the door of education to the commoners in China, where before his time was restricted only to the children of aristocrats. We find the same notion advocated in Singapore today. No individual will by reason of his poverty be denied a place in the formal education system. This, however, does not imply the eradication of educational inequality, where the dominant class by virtue of its power, abundant resources and prestige is better able to exploit the educational opportunities available and thus reproduce its power and influence in society. Nevertheless, education has played an important part in re-shaping and developing the economy, which in turn provides more openings at the upper end of the stratification system. Education also helps develop the skills and knowledge necessary to fill these new vacancies. It provides the basis for competition, wherein lies the hope of change tor the working class.