As well as the formal curriculum - the subject knowledge taught in classes and assessed in examinations – schools teach their pupils a whole range of other things in a more subtle or covert way. If you are a functionalist, these are the norms and values necessary for society to function properly and for the individual to function in that society. Conflict theorists like Marxists and feminists would see this subtle teaching of norms and values as teaching people to accept the principles of capitalism or patriarchy. This learning includes things like understanding manners and behaviour, respecting authority and understanding hierarchy.