Citizenship education is taught in schools, as an academic subject similar to politics or sociology. It is known by different names in different countries – for example, 'citizenship education' (or just 'citizenship' for short) in the UK, ‘civics’ in the US, and 'education for democratic citizenship' in parts of Europe.  The different names for the subject is mirrored in the different approaches towards citizenship education adopted in different countries.  These are often a consequence of the unique historical and political developments within different countries.

In many countries, the focus of the teaching is on active citizenship. 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.

Countries

England

Citizenship education has been a statutory subject in the English National Curriculum since 2001. It must be taught as part of the school curriculum to all pupils aged 11–16 years old in maintained schools in England. The current Programme of Study was introduced in 2014, and identifies four key areas in detail:

History

Citizenship Education was introduced as a statutory subject in the English National Curriculum in 2001 following the recommendation of the Crick Report in 1998. This report, which had been commissioned by the New Labour government following its election victory in 1997, called for "no less than a change in the political culture of this country both nationally and locally: for people to think of themselves as active citizens, willing, able and equipped to have an influence in public life and with the critical capacities to weigh evidence before speaking and acting".[1] Prior to this, since 1990, there had existed a cross curricular theme called 'Education for Citizenship' (CG8).

At the same time as the subject was introduced in 2001, a longitudinal study began. This studied the impacts of the teaching of citizenship over a 10-year timeframe. The curriculum was revised in 2007/8 to focus on the 'key concepts' of democracy and justice, rights and responsibilities, identities and diversity (living together in the UK); and 'key processes' of critical thinking and enquiry, advocacy and representation, and informed and responsible action. This version of the curriculum in particular was concerned with the practical side of citizenship – going beyond just the knowledge of institutions. 

After the 2010 General Election, with the election of a new Coalition Government, a reivew was launched for the National Curriculum, including Citizenship. Despite early fears that the subject would be removed from the National Curriculum altogether, it was retained. However, a revised content was published which re-focused knowledge rather than skills and practice, with an emphasis on critical thinking, politics, media literacy, financial skills and money.[2][3]

A GCSE in "Citizenship Studies" is available for students in Key Stage 4. The qualification includes a controlled assessment based on an active citizenship project they have taken part in. There is also an A-level subject in Citizenship Studies. This qualification is valued by leading universities including the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford.

Since 2017 there has been a sharp increase in entries for GCSE Citizenship Studies, with an 40% increase from 2017 to 2023.[4]

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 and 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.[5]

As a response to the terror attacks in Paris on 7–9 January 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 9 December.[6][7][8]

Poland

In Poland, citizenship is known as WoS ("Wiedza o Społeczeństwie", literally "Knowledge of Society") and studied as one of the matura subjects.

Finland

In Finland citizenship education is known as YH, YT or YO. (yhteiskuntaoppi)

Norway

In Norway citizenship education is the primary mandate of Social Studies.[9]

Sweden

In Sweden citizenship education is mainly focused in the subject of Social Studies – Samhällskunskap, but also in Consumer Economics within the subject of Hem- och konsumentkunskap which is most closely related to Home Economics.

Indonesia

Citizenship education in Indonesia is nationally designed and implemented.[10]

China

There is a curious kind of citizenship education in China which could be called "peopleship" education.[11]

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.[12]

United States

In the United States, the course known as "Civics" teaches the fundamental aspects of the structure and operation of the United States government and the rights and obligations of U.S. citizens. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia require at least six months to one year of high-school Civics, while the remaining eleven states have no Civics requirement.[13]

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.[14]

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 suggest 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.[15] Some educationalists relate this criticism to John Dewey (but see critical comments on this interpretation of Dewey: Van der Ploeg, 2016).[16]

Notable academics

See also

References

  1. ↑ Crick et al (1998), Education for citizenship and the teaching of democracy in schools, page 7, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
  2. ↑ "The Ties that Bind: Citizenship and Civic Engagement in the 21st Century" (PDF). House of Lords. 18 April 2018.. Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Parliament Licence. © Parliamentary Copyright.
  3. ↑ Bildung, Bundeszentrale für politische (2 December 2021). "Citizenship Education in the UK (England)". bpb.de (in German). Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  4. ↑ Bell, Joe (24 August 2023). "GCSE Citizenship Studies results 2023 - The value of Citizenship". Association for Citizenship Teaching. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  5. ↑ Tutiaux-Guillon, N. (2002), Civic, Legal and Social Education in French Seconcary School, Archived 26 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  6. ↑ "Enseignement moral et civique – Éduscol". eduscol.education.fr. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  7. ↑ "Une école qui porte haut les valeurs de la République". Gouvernement.fr (in French). Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  8. ↑ "France vows to restore French values in schools". 22 January 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  9. ↑ Boerhaug, K. (2010), Norwegian Civic Education – Beyond Formalism?, Archived 19 July 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
  10. ↑ Bjork, Christopher (2004). "Decentralisation in Education, Institutional Culture and Teacher Autonomy in Indonesia". International Review of Education. 50 (3/4): 245–262. Bibcode:2004IREdu..50..245B. doi:10.1007/s11159-004-2622-6. JSTOR 4151598. S2CID 189776051.
  11. ↑ Xiao, Y (2013). "China's peopleship education: Conceptual issues and policy analysis". Citizenship Teaching and Learning. 8 (1): 21–39. doi:10.1386/ctl.8.1.21_1.
  12. ↑ "Himno Nacional de Honduras | Simbolos Nacionales de Honduras". XplorHonduras Honduras (in European Spanish). 20 August 2013. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  13. ↑ Shapiro, Sarah; Brown, Catherine. "A Look at Civics Education in the United States". American Federation of Teachers. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ Greenberg, D. (1992), Education in America – A View from Sudbury Valley, "Democracy Must be Experienced to be Learned." Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  16. ↑ Van der Ploeg, P.A. (2016). Dewey versus ‘Dewey’ on democracy and education, Education, Citizenship and Social Justice, doi:10.1177/1746197916648283.
Citizenship education in schools
European Citizenship Education
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