Citizenship education (subject) facts for kids

Citizenship education is a subject taught in schools that helps you learn about being a good citizen. It's a bit like learning about politics or sociology. This subject has different names around the world. For example, it's called 'citizenship' in the UK, 'civics' in the US, and 'education for democratic citizenship' in some parts of Europe. How it's taught can also be different, often depending on a country's history.

A big part of this teaching focuses on active citizenship. This means learning how to work with others and take real action. You use what you've learned about citizenship to help make society better. For example, after studying human rights, diversity, or inequality, students might start a project to deal with racism in their school or local area. Other ways to be an active citizen include starting recycling programs, creating student groups to stop bullying, promoting fair trade, or campaigning to lower the voting age to 16.

Countries

England

Citizenship education has been a required subject in the English National Curriculum since 2001. All students aged 11–16 in state schools in England must study it. The current plan for what to teach started in 2014. It covers four main areas:

• Politics: You learn about how the UK government works, including Parliament, voting, elections, and political parties. You also learn how citizens can influence decisions and about other systems of government around the world.
• Financial Skills: This part teaches you about money, how to manage your own budget, and understand things like wages, taxes, credit, and debt.
• Volunteering: You discover ways to help improve your community and get chances to take part in community volunteering.
• Law: This section covers the freedoms people in the UK have. It explains what rules and laws are, including criminal and civil law, and how the justice system works. It also looks at diversity in the UK and why we need to respect and understand each other.

History

Citizenship Education became a required subject in England in 2001. This happened after a report in 1998, called the Crick Report, suggested it. The report wanted people to become "active citizens" who could influence public life. It said that teaching citizenship was so important that schools should be required to offer it to all students. Before 2001, there was a similar topic called 'Education for Citizenship' since 1990.

When the subject started in 2001, a long study began to see how teaching citizenship affected students over 10 years. The curriculum was updated in 2007/8. It focused on big ideas like Democracy and Justice, Rights and Responsibilities, and Identities and Diversity. It also focused on skills like critical thinking and taking action. This version really wanted students to do practical things, not just learn facts.

After the 2010 election, the government reviewed the school curriculum. Even though some worried citizenship might be removed, it stayed. However, the new content focused more on knowledge than on skills and practice. Support for teachers, like training, was also reduced.

Current situation

In 2018, a report from the House of Lords said that citizenship education in English schools was in a very poor state. It suggested that citizenship education should be required from primary school through secondary school. It also said that school inspections should check how well citizenship is taught. The report made several suggestions, including:

• Having enough trained citizenship teachers so every secondary school has a specialist.
• Making citizenship education a priority for teacher training and offering financial help for those who want to teach it.
• Ensuring that citizenship qualifications include active citizenship projects as a major part of the course.
• Reviewing the citizenship curriculum to include shared British values and active citizenship projects.

Many schools in England are now 'academies'. Academies don't have to follow the National Curriculum. Because most secondary schools are now academies, this has made it harder for citizenship to be taught as its own subject. Schools often focus on a few main subjects for exam results, which means less attention for other subjects like citizenship. This has led to fewer qualified citizenship teachers and fewer schools teaching it as a separate subject.

However, in 2019, the school inspection body, Ofsted, changed its rules. Now, schools are graded based on a more balanced curriculum, which includes citizenship. This is a positive step for the subject.

Students in secondary school (Key Stage 4) can take a GCSE in "Citizenship Studies." Three main exam boards in England offer this. The qualification includes a project based on an active citizenship activity students have done. There is also an A level in Citizenship Studies, which is valued by top universities. Since 2002, over 500,000 young people have earned qualifications in Citizenship Studies.

Ireland

Citizenship studies became a required subject in Ireland in the 1990s. It's known as CSPE (Civic, Social and Political Education) and is taught to students aged 12 to 16. A new subject called 'Society and Politics' is expected to be offered to older students (16–18 years old) in secondary schools.

France

In France, citizenship education is called ECJS (education civique, juridique et sociale) in high school and "éducation civique" in middle and primary school.

After some important events in Paris in January 2015, France announced a new plan to bring citizenship back into the school system. This plan aims to strengthen teachers' roles, promote the country's values, and encourage community service. It includes training for teachers, a yearly agreement signed by students and guardians, community service for student misbehavior, and a yearly day to celebrate secularism (the idea of keeping government and religion separate).

Poland

In Poland, citizenship is called WoS ("Wiedza o Społeczeństwie," meaning "Knowledge of Society"). It's one of the subjects students can take for their final exams (matura).

Finland

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

Norway

In Norway, citizenship education is mainly part of Social Studies.

Sweden

In Sweden, citizenship education is mostly taught in the subject of Social Studies (Samhällskunskap). It's also covered in Consumer Economics within the subject of Hem- och konsumentkunskap, which is similar to Home Economics.

Indonesia

Citizenship education in Indonesia is planned and taught across the whole country.

China

In China, there is a type of citizenship education that focuses on the idea of "peopleship."

Honduras

In Honduras, to finish 6th grade, students must pass the "Anthem Test." This test checks how well students know their country's history, as well as the flag and coat of arms.

United States

In the United States, the subject known as "Civics" teaches the basic parts of how the US government works. It also covers the rights and duties of US citizens. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia require at least six months to one year of Civics in high school. The other eleven states do not have this requirement.

Criticism of citizenship education in schools

There are two main ways people criticize citizenship education in schools. First, some experts say that many governments and policies push for ways of teaching citizenship that might not be the best. These ways often try to make students act in specific ways, like being very involved in politics. But there are many different ideas about what a good citizen is. Education should help students think for themselves and be open-minded. So, it needs a more critical approach than just aiming for political involvement.

Second, some educators argue that just teaching kids about citizenship theory isn't enough. They believe it only works if schools themselves act democratically, giving students a chance to have a say in decisions. They suggest that schools are often not very democratic places. They argue that such a setting cannot truly teach children to believe in democratic values, which is needed for citizenship education to have a real impact.

Notable academics

• Joel Westheimer, a professor who studies citizenship education at the University of Ottawa.

See also

In Spanish: Educación cívica para niños

• Civics
• Global citizenship education
• Hansard Society § Citizenship Education
• Spatial citizenship
• The Springfield Plan