Educating for Human Capital

Paper Summary:

The paper reveals that the ideology of education in the Province of Ontario seems increasingly geared to a model stressing the development of human capital, as opposed to human beings. The paper explains that there is a very strong emphasis on producing people who are suited to the workforce. The paper contends that this should raise questions as to the true purpose of education, whether it is only meant to supply workers of certain kinds to the economy. The paper considers this educational ideology in Ontario as depressing.

Outline:
Introduction
Human Capital Models
'Quality Education'
Concluding Discussion

From the Paper:

"The ideology of education in the Province of Ontario seems increasingly geared to a model stressing the development of human capital, as opposed to human beings. Although one sees much reference to an educational system devoted to removing ethno-racial or gender divisions, or educating the whole child, there is now a very strong emphasis on producing persons who are suited to the workforce. This is in keeping with the influential post-World War II theorist, Theodore W. Schultz's notion of producing individuals who could earn and otherwise be productive members of society. (1961) This human capital orientation was again seen strongly in the 1990s in Ontario under a neo-conservative government given to reduced social spending and cost-benefit analyses of all public sector systems in existence. This outlook has subsided with a change of government or the passage of time. There is still an assumption of the well prepared student, youth or adult, as a person offering abilities suited to the employment market, making the province wealthier in terms of human capital serving the needs of employers. (Bouchard: 1998)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bouchard, P. (1998). "Training and Work - Myths about Human Capital," in S. Scott et al. Eds. Learning for Life - Canadian Readings in Adult Education. Toronto: Thompson.
• Coleman, J.S. (1988). "Social Capital in the Creation of Human Capital." American Journal of Sociology. 94: S94-120.
• Coulombe, S. and J. Tremblay. (2006). International Adult Literacy Survey. Ottawa: Minister of Industry.
• Gordon, E.E. (1997). "The New Knowledge Worker." Adult Learning. 8: 14-17.
• Hertzman, C. (2000). "The Case for an Early Child Development Strategy." Canadian Journal of Policy Research. 1: 11-18.

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• Analytical Essay # 111573 : "Enhancing Human Capital"

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