Final answer:
The primary reason social work is secondary in schools is that the educational system focuses more on teaching academic subjects than addressing the unique social challenges faced by students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary reason that social work is secondary in school settings is because schools are primarily focused on the manifest functions of education, such as teaching academic subjects like math, science, and reading. However, the latent functions of education also play a significant role. These include socializing children into societal norms, teaching teamwork, and introducing students to social networks that can be valuable throughout their lives. A student with low socioeconomic status may face barriers that prevent them from fully engaging in these latent aspects due to responsibilities at home, a lack of resources, and insufficient family support for educational pursuits.
Émile Durkheim noted that schools function as 'socialization agencies', but for students from working-class families, such as the one depicted in the scenario, the educational system's traditional curriculum often fails to identify and accommodate their specific challenges.