Citizenship education has been introduced as a subject in schools in various parts of the work to prepare the youths to become active and participating citizens to help contribute to the development of society
Citizenship education was introduced as a statutory subject in the English National Curriculum in the United Kingdom since 2001 and is taught to students aged between 11 to 16 years old.
Among the key areas of the subject includes politics, financial skills, volunteering and law.
The policy of citizenship education has intensified in various parts of the world and it has been defined in various ways.
For instance, in Norway and Sweden it is taught as part of social studies and in Honduras it is taught to measure students’ understanding of the country’s history and background.
The purpose of citizenship education to educate students to known issues such as inequality, human rights and diversity and then work together to take actions using citizenship knowledge and understanding to contribute to a better society.
So, this allow students to experience inclusive and social justice-oriented citizenship action in schools such engaging in citizenship projects such as recycling campaign, promoting anti cyberbullying or voting, thus develop understanding of what it means to be an active, responsible, respectful and participatory citizens.
Citizenship education help prepare youths or students in dealing with conflicts or controversial situations knowledgably and sensibly by helping them understand the consequences of their actions and to those around them.
Students will learn how to be unbiased when evaluating arguments, look for alternative views point of views and source or evidence and provide good reasoning for the things they stand for and can expect good reasons given by other.
This is a way to promote respect and mutual understanding as well as encourage peaceful relationship between people especially in resolving issues in today’s era.
Apart from that, it trains students to have a wider perspective, think deeper about social issues or challenges through constructive dialogues.
Citizenship education is beneficial as it helps the youths become active citizens once they understand their role within society and how they can go about improving it.
