ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the political identification of teachers. It is an attempt to determine their location in the class struggle. It considers the political role of the State, and also the political function of schooling. According to Marxist theory, however, the State governs in the narrow interests of one class, the ruling class, and exists to ensure the continued dominance by the ruling class. With regard to maintaining a stable social order, however, the State also has the crucial function of responding to demands put forward by the working class through class struggle. Compulsory schooling is notice served on all children that they must do what has been ordained for them, that they must be where they have been told to be, and that they have no choice in the matter. The political domination of teachers over pupils is related to two factors: the conditions under which they teach; and the non-teaching activities they are forced to perform as teachers.
