Durkheim's view of education is closely linked to which concept?

• A. Skilled workforce
• B. Specialistic skills
• C. Shared norms and values
• D. Economic efficiency

Answer: (C)

Transmitting shared norms and values to create social solidarity is what Durkheim sees education as primarily doing. He argues that schooling acts like a miniature society where children learn the collective beliefs, rules, and rituals that hold a community together. Through the curriculum, daily routines, and common experiences, students internalize standards such as respect for authority, cooperation, and fairness. This process builds a sense of belonging and moral unity across diverse backgrounds, creating what Durkheim calls the collective conscience that binds society. In modern, complex societies, this shared moral framework is what makes social order possible beyond mere individual training. So, while education can produce a skilled workforce or contribute to economic efficiency, its central function in Durkheim’s view is fostering unified norms and values that sustain social cohesion.