The opposite of liberalism is conservatism. Conservatism is the belief that institutions should function according to their original intended purpose and that any concepts that have not been maintained should be restored. Certain core principles shape the beliefs of a conservative, and conservatives believe these core principles come from a higher power. The first core principle is that all humans are imperfect by nature, and there is no way to create a perfect society on earth. Second, the past is the basis for our social sensitivity and human relationships. Finally, tradition provides cohesion and stability for the society and culture.

A conservative education preserves the traditional curriculum, aiming to transmit information to the students as a means of bringing them into an already established culture. Conservatists are wary of individualism and change and foster assimilation and acceptance into society. They believe the primary role of education is academics and that schools should not assume nonacademic, custodial, therapeutic, and social functions. Such functions are believed to weaken education.