What is education? certainly, it is the instruction of basic skills like reading and writing that are necessary for successful participation in modern societies. Still, social scientists tell us that school serve a second, and perhaps more important function; they are social institutions that serve as agents of socialization.
Socialization is a process that encourages the acquisition of appropriate culture, values and patterns of behavior. In other words, it is the training of children to be acceptable members of a society. Children are taught to obey, conform, and be polite in school. Patriotism is one of the most important values they are taught; the belief that one's society is basically good and therefore worthy of love and loyalty is one that all societies want their members to accept. The acceptance of this idea is the basic for nationality and national defense.
To be sure, schools are not the only socializing institution. Values are taught at home, on television and in a variety of other situations. Still the importance of the school as a socializing agent should not be overlooked.