CAIE A Level 9699

Sociology 2024 · Oct/Nov · Paper 32

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This Sociology Paper 32 focuses on education, especially inequalities and the functions of schooling, with key topics including gender, ethnicity, social class, and the role of education in society. The questions are all structured extended-response items, asking students to describe, explain, and evaluate sociological arguments rather than answer multiple-choice or calculation questions.…

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Questions & Model Answers 4 Qs

Q1
Short Answer 4 marks
Describe two ways that schools advantage girls.
Schools may advantage girls through teacher attention and encouragement, as girls are often seen as more compliant and hardworking, so they may receive more positive feedback and support.
This is a valid sociological explanation of one way schools can advantage girls.
Schools may advantage girls through the hidden curriculum and changing subject choices, as girls are increasingly encouraged to take academic subjects and are less restricted by traditional gender stereotypes.
This is another valid way schools can advantage girls.
Q2
Short Answer 8 marks
Explain two reasons why ethnic subcultures can affect educational attainment.
Ethnic subcultures can affect attainment because some groups may develop values and norms that place a high emphasis on education, leading pupils to work harder and achieve more.
A subculture that values education can raise attainment.
Ethnic subcultures can also affect attainment where peer pressure or community expectations discourage engagement with school, for example if academic success is seen as acting against group identity.
Negative peer or community pressures can lower attainment.
Q3
Short Answer 12 marks
'Schools help working-class pupils achieve upward social mobility.' Using sociological material, give two arguments against this view.
One argument is that schools reproduce class inequality rather than reduce it. Marxist sociologists argue that the education system benefits the middle class because it rewards cultural capital, language and attitudes that working-class pupils are less likely to possess.
This challenges the view by arguing that schools favour middle-class pupils.
A second argument is that material deprivation limits working-class achievement. Poor housing, low income, lack of educational resources and the need to work can all reduce attainment, making upward mobility through schooling less likely.
This explains how external class disadvantages restrict mobility.
Q4
Essay 26 marks
Evaluate the view that the main function of education is to maintain social solidarity.
Education may maintain social solidarity by transmitting shared values, norms and a common culture to pupils. Functionalists argue that schools create social cohesion by teaching a sense of belonging and preparing young people for cooperation in wider society.
This supports the view using functionalist ideas.
Durkheim argued that education promotes social solidarity by teaching a shared history and collective identity, while also helping pupils learn to respect authority and social rules.
Durkheim is a key sociologist linked to social solidarity.
However, critics argue that education does not simply create solidarity because it also reproduces inequality. Marxists claim that schools serve the interests of the ruling class and legitimise class divisions rather than unite society.
This is a major counter-argument to the functionalist view.
Education may also promote social control rather than solidarity. The hidden curriculum can teach obedience, punctuality and acceptance of hierarchy, which benefits employers and the state more than society as a whole.
This offers a critical interpretation of the role of education.
A further criticism is that education can increase social division through streaming, labelling and unequal achievement by class, gender and ethnicity. These processes may create resentment and conflict rather than shared solidarity.
This shows how education can divide rather than unite.
Overall, education does contribute to social solidarity to some extent, especially through common curricula and socialisation, but it is not necessarily its main function because it also sorts, selects and reproduces inequality.
A balanced conclusion is appropriate for evaluation.
Paper Details
Board CAIE
Level A Level
Subject Sociology
Code 9699
Year 2024
Session Oct/Nov
Paper No. Paper 32
Q&A 4 questions
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