Citizenship education (subject)
Citizenship education is taught in schools, as an academic subject similar to politics or sociology.
England
In 2001, Citizenship was introduced as a statutory subject in the English National Curriculum, following the recommendation of the Crick Report in 1998.[1] It is taught as part of the school curriculum to all pupils aged 11–16 years old in maintained schools in England.
The National Curriculum for citizenship in England contributes to the overall aims of the national curriculum, that children should develop as successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society. The Citizenship curriculum is based on key concepts (democracy, justice, rights and responsibilities, identities and diversity) that children need to understand and key processes and skills (critical thinking and enquiry, advocacy and representation, taking informed and responsible action) they need to develop. The National Curriculum for citizenship sets out teaching requirements that address a wide range of content including politics, parliament and government, the operation of the legal system, how the economy functions, the role of the media, human rights, Europe and international relations. Teachers use topical political and social issues to bring citizenship content to life and to help pupils develop key citizenship skills of research, discussion and debate, as well as to represent the views of others, think critically, evaluate and reflect. The Citizenship curriculum aims to develop student's ability to participate in communities and wider society as informed, critical and responsible citizens. The purpose of "active citizenship" is to teach students to work together and take practical action, using their Citizenship knowledge and understanding to contribute to a better society. For example, after learning about human rights, diversity and inequality, students might decide to set up a project to address racism in their school or local community. Other examples of active Citizenship projects include starting recycling programmes, setting up student action groups to address bullying or promote fair trade or campaigning to lower the voting age to 16.
A GCSE in "Citizenship Studies" is available for students in key stage 4. The three main awarding bodies in England (AQA, OCR and Edexcel) offer this qualification as a full and a short course. The qualification includes a controlled assessment based on an active citizenship project they have taken part in. There is also an A level in Citizenship Studies which is available through AQA. This qualification is valued by leading Universities including the University of Cambridge. More than 500,000 young people have now attained qualifications in Citizenship Studies since 2002.
Ireland
Citizenship studies was introduced as a compulsory subject in the 1990s in Ireland. It is known as CSPE (Civic, Social and Political Education) and is taught to 12- to 16-year-olds. In 2009 it is expected that an additional subject currently under the working title 'Society and Politics' will be offered as a subject to students between 16–18 years of age in secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland.
France
In France citizenship education is known as ECJS (education civique, juridique et sociale) in the high school and "éducation civique" in the middle school and primary school.[2]
As a response to the terror attacks in Paris on January 7–9, 2015, France announced a new plan to reintegrate citizenship into the French educational system. The plan seeks to restore authority to teachers, reinforce the values of the Republic, and promote community values and service. It includes training for teachers, a yearly charter to be signed by both student and guardian, community service assignments for student misbehavior, and a day of laïcité, or secularism, yearly on December 9.[3][4][5]
Poland
In Poland, citizenship is known as WoS ("Wiedza o Społeczeństwie", literally "Knowledge of Society") and studied as one of the matura subjects.
Spain
In Spain a recent law introduced EpC (Educación para la Ciudadanía). However, a new education law that has passed is going to remove it from the curriculum. See Education for Citizenship (Spain)formation.
Finland
In Finland citizenship education is known as YH, YT or YO. (yhteiskuntaoppi)
China
There is a curious kind of citizenship education in China which could be called "peopleship" education.[8]
Honduras
In Honduras, to graduate from 6th grade, students are required to pass the "Anthem Test". This test aims to measure students' understanding of the country's history as well as the flag and coat of arms.[9]
Criticism of citizenship education in schools
There are two kinds of criticism of citizenship education in schools. Firstly, some philosophers of education argue that most governments and mainstream policies stimulate and advocate questionable approaches of citizenship education. These approaches aim to develop specific dispositions in students, dispositions conducive to political participation and solidarity. But there are radically different views on the nature of good citizenship and education should involve and develop autonomy and open-mindedness. Therefore, it requires a more critical approach than is possible when political participation and solidarity are conceived of as goals of education.[10] Secondly, some educationalists argue that merely teaching children about the theory of citizenship is ineffective, unless schools themselves reflect democratic practices by giving children the opportunity to have a say in decision making. They suggests that schools are fundamentally undemocratic institutions, and that such a setting cannot instill in children the commitment and belief in democratic values that is necessary for citizenship education to have a proper impact.[11] Some educationalists relate this criticism to John Dewey (but see critical comments on this interpretation of Dewey: Van der Ploeg, 2016).[12]
References
- Advisory Group on Citizenship (22 September 1998). "Education for citizenship and the teaching of democracy in schools" (PDF). QCA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2009.
- Tutiaux-Guillon, N. (2002), Civic, Legal and Social Education in French Seconcary School, Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- "Enseignement moral et civique - Éduscol". eduscol.education.fr. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- "Une école qui porte haut les valeurs de la République". Gouvernement.fr (in French). Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- "France vows to restore French values in schools". 22 January 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- Boerhaug, K. (2010), Norwegian Civic Education - Beyond Formalism? Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- Bjork, Christopher (2004). "Decentralisation in Education, Institutional Culture and Teacher Autonomy in Indonesia". International Review of Education. 50 (3/4): 245–262. doi:10.1007/s11159-004-2622-6. JSTOR 4151598.
- Xiao, Y (2013). "China's peopleship education: Conceptual issues and policy analysis". Citizenship Teaching and Learning. 8 (1): 21–39.
- "Himno Nacional de Honduras | Simbolos Nacionales de Honduras". XplorHonduras Honduras (in Spanish). 20 August 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
- Van der Ploeg, P.A. & L.J.F. Guérin (2016) Questioning Participation and Solidarity as Goals of Citizenship Education. Critical Review, DOI: 10.1080/08913811.2016.1191191
- Greenberg, D. (1992), Education in America - A View from Sudbury Valley, "Democracy Must be Experienced to be Learned." Retrieved 14 June 2011.
- Van der Ploeg, P.A. (2016) Dewey versus ‘Dewey’ on democracy and education, Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, DOI: 10.1177/1746197916648283
External links
Citizenship education in schools
- Learn and Serve America's National Service-Learning Clearinghouse Citizenship Education Bibliography
- Time for Citizenship - a UK based Primary Education site
- Department for Children, schools and families Citizenship site
- QCDA Citizenship
- The Association for Citizenship Teaching
- What is citizenship and why teach it?
- Young Citizens
- Citized
- Patriotism and Nationalism in Music Education (Ashgate press, 2012)
- Desh Apnayen - Citizenship Education Club in India
- Spatial Citizenship for Education
European Citizenship Education