The degree essay analysis the relationship between oppressive social structures and educational practices reviewed in the work of Ivan Illich (Deschooling Society) and Paul Freire (“Pedagogy of the Oppressed”). It provides a brief overview of Illich's and Freire's critiques of educational institutions and authorities because they allow the reproduction of oppressive social structures. The problems of today's educational system are analysed in detail as well. Even today it is possible to look at the educational system from the perspective of the mentioned authors, and their theories are still relevant according to the findings of research and the opinion of experts. In this work the role of the educational system in the process of social transformation is being discussed. It is concluded that changes in the field of education are very slow and that educational practice is still, to a large extent, a political tool. However, a glimmer of hope is provided by research according to which teachers are increasingly guided by the principles of critical pedagogy (to which Illich and Freire made a significant contribution) aimed at studying the relationship between power and hegemony and according to which education should play an important role in transforming existing relations in society. Regarding above mentioned, the emancipatory role of the school aimed at developing educational practices based on equal interaction between all participants and oriented towards the development of independent and creative individuals capable of critical thinking should be encouraged and emphasized. If we look at the educational system as a place of struggle for equality (i.e. racial, class, gender, etc.), and schooling as a process that affects our characteristics and values and that shapes opinions about ourselves and the world around us, one of the main tasks of that system is to educate younger generations to be able to change society, i.e. to encourage its transformation.