Final answer:
Durkheim believed that education functions as a critical social institution contributing to socialization, social cohesion, and the continuous transmission of collective values, which in turn maintains social stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
Émile Durkheim, a pivotal figure in sociology, viewed education as a critical social institution that plays a significant role in the fabric of society. He believed that education functions not only through its manifest functions like socialization#8212;whereby students learn to perform societal roles from an early age#8212;but also through latent functions that operate in more subtle and often unintended ways.
As a functionalist, Durkheim saw society as an interconnected whole that was greater than the sum of its individual parts. He emphasized that collective behaviour is distinctly different from individual actions, and that education contributes to the collective conscience by instilling shared beliefs, values, and norms.
According to Durkheim, the functions of education in society extend beyond individual empowerment to include social cohesion, social control, and providing meaning and purpose during significant life transitions. He advocated for applying scientific methods to the study of societal phenomena, asserting that essential elements such as laws, religion, and morals all serve to maintain social order and stability. For Durkheim, education is not just a preparation for economic roles but also a vital mechanism for maintaining the health and continuity of society.