In item C the EAZ's are run by representatives from schools, local councils, central government and local businesses'. This programme also brings people together and teaches them how to co-operate in society. They are also putting more money into education so they are getting more say of how it is run. EAZ's do not have to teach the national curriculum so that they can focus on basic skills such as literacy and numeracy, which are more realistic in what they are teaching.
E) Using Information from Items B and D and elsewhere outline changes in the education system and show how they have been designed to offer equal opportunities for all.
Education in Britain has changed a lot over the years and has created serious political disagreements and shows the awareness of politics involved. For example on the Right hand side, Conservatives believe that there should be more independent schools and not as much money being funded by the government. On the right hand side, Labour believes that all schools should be comprehensive. There are also many views from functionalists and Marxists about the way in which education influences society.
The Education Act (1870) meant that free compulsory education was made available to everyone up to the age of 10. Previous to this, only the wealthy middle class children got some kind of education while others went straight to work. The new education system was aimed at the working class to help them develop new skills. There are two different views of why the government introduced compulsory education, one of which was the Marxists. They believed schools were provided for all to ensure the production of an orderly workforce. Talcott Parsons supported this and said the classroom is a microcosm of society'. However, functionalists believed that mass schooling was a result of Britain's declining industrial position. Therefore the views of the ruling class are put onto children to control society, making sure people have the same norms and values.
