According to functionalist views on education, which statement is true?

• A. Education passes on core values of society.
• B. Education undermines social cohesion.
• C. Education teaches nothing about work.
• D. Education isolates individuals from other institutions.

Answer: (A)

Functionalists see education as a mechanism that socialises people into the shared values and beliefs of society. In schools, students learn norms like respect for authority, punctuality, and the value of hard work, not just from what is taught in lessons but also from the hidden curriculum—the subtle lessons about how society expects you to behave. This process helps create social solidarity by building a common culture and shared expectations, which in turn supports social order and helps individuals fit into their roles in the adult world.

So the statement that education passes on core values of society is the best answer because it captures how education transmits those shared norms and supports cohesion. It’s not about undermining cohesion; education contributes to it. It does teach about work by preparing people for future jobs, and it doesn’t isolate individuals from other institutions—instead, it connects with family, peers, and the workplace to integrate people into wider society.