Functionalists describe the economic role of education as preparing students with which core competencies?

• A. Numeracy and literacy.
• B. Marketing strategies.
• C. Medical diagnosis.
• D. Creative writing.

Answer: (A)

Functionalists see education as providing the basic tools people need to participate in the economy. The most central of these tools are numeracy and literacy. Being literate enables individuals to read instructions, contracts, and workplace policies, while numeracy allows them to handle money, perform basic calculations, and work with data. These foundational skills are essential across a wide range of jobs and industries, helping workplaces run smoothly, allowing for clear communication, accurate record-keeping, and the ability to follow procedures. In short, numeracy and literacy support productive work and stable social functioning.

Other options describe more specialized abilities that aren’t universal requirements for most entry-level or widely used occupations, so they don’t capture the economic role education is said to play in preparing a broad workforce.