Discuss how far sociologists agree that the main function of the education system is to serve the needs of the economy. (12 marks)

The first paragraph focuses on the theme of role allocation in a specialised economy:
School is known to select and sift people for different levels of jobs meaning it's a major method of role allocating. They provide a society where everyone is well equipped with the right skills. This makes sure the best and most qualified people end up doing the jobs that utilises and recognises these skills, qualifications and individual effort. This creates what is termed as the division of labour; the world of work is fragmented into a large number of specialised jobs. From this position the inequalities in society are fair and just. This was examined by Davis and Moore.
The second paragraph focuses on passing on society's culture, building social solidarity and a stabilised economy:
Social values are passed through both actual subjects and the hidden curriculum. They integrate people into society through shared values and beliefs, e.g. being respectful towards teachers. As a result, education is seen as an agency of secondary socialisation. This helps to prepare young people into work life as similar values and norms are shared in the workplace. For instance, the hidden curriculum promotes the ideology of individual merit based on effort and hard-work through awarding high-performing students with qualification. This is reflected in the workplace through promotion. Additionally, by integrating people into society, it helps build social solidarity which involves social cohesion. This cohesion is essential to stabilise modern economies. Durkheim (1870s) in particular believed that school is "society in miniature". School is seen as a way of binding society together, therefore like the family, education is seen as functional prerequisite because it passes on the culture of a society particularly its core values.