They argue the main role of education in a capitalist society is to create and obedient and passive worker. Education does this by rewarding the same behaviour and personality characteristics that are valued by capitalism.
For example: obedience to authority, hard work, punctuality and gaining satisfaction through external rewards (wages/qualifications) rather than from the activity itself. On the other hand, pupils who are creative and independent tend to do less well at school because the ruling class does not want people who can think for themselves. Children learn all this through the hidden curriculum: the values, knowledge and skills learned at school without being formally taught.
B&G argue that meritocracy is a myth: education appears to be fair and equal but, in reality, it is based on social class. This myth justifies inequality if the lower class had worked harder at school, they would have got a higher status, better paid job.
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