Citizenship education is too important to be left to chance
Citizens in a democratic society have
a fundamental responsibility to engage in public life. Teachers and students
have an obligation to promote equality, justice, respect for others and democratic
participation. These ideals should be integral to cultures of educational
institutions and embedded within and beyond the curriculum in schools.
Education for democratic citizenship is a core purpose of teaching and learning
in schools. It includes pupils learning about rights, the legal system,
parliamentary democracy, and the diverse and global nature of life today.
The existence of citizenship education as a
specialist route for teacher education has also opened up the teaching
profession to a range of individuals with degree backgrounds in subjects
related to politics, law and economics whom previously may have found it
difficult to enter the profession.
Without specialist teachers of citizenship
education, the ability of schools to play their part in producing and educating
knowledgeable and responsible citizens will be seriously undermined. If
citizenship education is either to be removed, or is to lose its statutory
force, a generation of young people will (or at least may) be deprived of an
opportunity to formally learn about, investigate, and actively participate in,
the political and social communities within which they live. This aspect of
schooling is too important to be left to chance
Contributor:
Shanya Moore
4th Year History and Social
Studies Student
Bethlehem Moravian College
Nicely said, with the implementation of citizenship education in schools it can help to alleviate the social issues in school and the wider community. One of such issue, that it will help to address is bullying, students fighting on the way to and from school. I also believe it can help teachers to have better classroom control, if during citizen education the teacher allow the student to bring their experiences to the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI never thought of it that way Sherryann but I can now see the benefits of citizenship education in dealing with social issues because with nationalism we will all want a better Jamaica that is free from social ills
DeleteCitizenship education is very important and should not be set aside. As a Social Studies teacher I will ensure that this is a major component of my curriculum even if it is not formally included by the school. However it is I'm poo impossible for me to teach every student in Jamaica therefore I emplore my colleague to make it a must and with the reintroduction of Civics in schools I hope that teachers stress the importance and become agents of change in society by creating patriotic Jamaicans
ReplyDeleteCitizenship education does allow for students to become better able to under their roles/responsibilities as citizens of a country. Therefore, it cannot be set aside but must always be taught in schools if not as a subject by itself it must be integrated in other subjects.
ReplyDeleteSolid points made by everyone, but I have an issue. The issue is that we speak so strong of the benefits of Citizenship Education. But they is less application of knowledge being placed on the classroom and utilizing it to curb issues whether political, economic and social. I believe that is why it may be "left to chance".
ReplyDeleteCitizenship education is too important to be left to chance. I strongly agree, I think it should be a core subject or rather a mandatory subject done by all students. It will curve our students thinking, attitude and behaviour.
ReplyDeleteEnter your comment...citizenship is a core subject, which teach's the students to know there right so it shouldn't be left alone
ReplyDelete