A Level Sociology Education AQA Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your Exam!

The hidden curriculum plays a crucial role in education according to Marxist theory by enforcing acceptance of societal norms and hierarchies. Marxists argue that formal education is not just about academic learning; it also serves as a means of social control. Through the hidden curriculum, students are taught unwritten rules and expectations that reinforce the dominant culture and socio-economic disparities.

For instance, behaviors such as punctuality, obedience to authority, and conformity are cultivated in schools, which reflect and uphold the existing social order. This ensures that students internalize the values of the ruling class, which maintains their position in society. The hidden curriculum thus functions to perpetuate inequality by socializing students into accepting their roles within the hierarchical structure, training them to respect and abide by authority, and preparing them for the labor market in a way that supports capitalist interests.