Education: Social Elevator or Holding Area?

Abstract

Looking across the social landscape, there appear to be few public policy interventions more powerful than education. Other social services such as health care, social security benefits and policing can ensure that individuals are supported and the status quo is maintained. But it is education that has the potential to move individuals into a different space from where they can see life in a new way and indeed can create a new life for themselves. Education, unlike other areas of social service, can be transformational; yet, it is not so for everyone. I want to reflect on this apparent dichotomy and try to discern some principles and ideas that might be able to harness the transformational nature of education for all, rather than for just a few.