The Role of the State in Education

This paper analyzes the relationship of the State (Democratic State) and Education. There is an increasing friction arising between the view that portraits the State as agent of education and the traditional view of the family as the principal educator. The view of the family as the principal agent of education is now seen less and less comparable with the modern State due to this new conflict. Today, the role of the State in education is confusing due to a lack of a philosophical basis explaining it. Therefore, there is a need to establish a philosophical foundation for the role of the State as agent in education. In order to do this, it is indispensable to study the relationship between the State and the Institution of the Family. The field of the Philosophy of Education must clarify the role of the State and the relationship with the family in the issue of education. First, it corresponds to study the common good and how this is understood in the modern State. Once we achieve this goal, we can then embark to examine the present understanding of the common good and its relation to the State. Out of this analysis arise the concepts of subsidiarity and solidarity that permits understanding the role of the State and its relationship with the family in the task of education. Based upon these principles, it would be appropriate to reevaluate contemporary public educational policies.