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Education Policy and Multicultural Societies
Authors: Hasan Nourbakhsh
Number of views: 1354
Education policy and society are interdisciplinary programmed, drawing on sociology, political science, economics and history to address the challenges of education policy and provision. Educational policy on studies and processes in relation to issues of race, social class, gender and changes such as globalization and new managerialism are very important. Educational institutions are often the heart of a community and are central agents of socialization. Schools can be an important channel through which to promote social cohesion and address community issues of inter-cultural, inter-religious or inter-ethnic relations. The education system is also a public institution and, as such, can create open and participatory processes through which the community can exert influence. If education policy is not sensitive to the issue of social cohesion and does not incorporate the perspectives of key stakeholders, it can be divisive and alienating, contributing to injustice and violence. In the contemporary world, the deepening ethnic background of nations, diversity within societies and an increasing percentage of people who speak a second language have made multicultural education crucial and important. Multicultural education is seen as an opportunity to improve race relations and to help all students gain the knowledge, attitudes and skills which could be possible through citizenship and democratic education. Education policies are formulated by the legislature organ of government which belongs to every section of society from entire nation. It is the legislature which provides legal sanction in bringing in reforms in the education sector. Education policies are the fruit of multi-culture provision. It is in this context that there is a need of a proper mechanism which provides balance in bringing equality and uniform pattern of education in a nation. Education and democracy could not be separated as both of them are directly or indirectly interdependent. As conclusion it could be said that education policies and its impact on society exists directly as all the differences in societies such as race, gender, sex, languages etc. could be maintained from balanced perspective with the help of education.