SOCIAL MOBILITY

JOSEPHINE S. CARREON

Education is widely seen as a key determinant of social mobility within a person’s lifetime and across generations. The Oxford English Dictionary defines social mobility as; “movement from one class-or more usually status group-to another.” Within education the term social mobility really refers to the improved opportunities of a young person to enhance their life chances. There has been lot of research on social mobility; focused on “leveling up opportunity” for our young people and emphasizing that it should be the talent and ability of a young person that determines their future regardless of who they are and where they are from. A person’s education is closely linked to their life chances, income and well being. Hence, it is therefore necessary to have a clear and better understanding of what benefits or hinders one’s academic or educational achievements. Education plays a vital role in the growth and development of any nation. It is a tool for economic stability and political independence. Education in order to obtain it its objectives must have quality. The quality of education is said to be dependent upon various factors affecting the pupils learning process. So whether formal or informal, education is capable of causing changes in our society. Education is a tool for social advancement on social mobility. For generations, Filipinos deeply value the significance of education in their social life. For them acquiring education, particularly higher education, is a gateway by which economically and socially marginalized peoples can lift themselves out of poverty and obtain the means to participate fully in their communities. In this regard, education is one of the best long-term financial and social investments countries can make.

-oOoThe author is SST III at Potrero National High School