Link Between Civic Education and Citizenship Education
This essay endeavors to discuss the connection between citizenship education and civic education. It will further look at whether there is a difference between the two or if they are the same. Lastly, the conclusion will be drawn.
Before going into a detailed discussion it is prudent to define the key words, that is , Civic education and Citizenship education respectively.
Civic Education is a broader field and therefore can be defined in many different ways depending on the orientation of the educators, time , place and dictates of the political regime in the country. Zambia Civic Education Association (2004:38) “Civic Education refers to the formal awareness of the country’s citizens about their moral and legal entitlements (rights), their expected moral and legal functions(duties) as well as the extent to which they can influence the utilization of national/public resources, monitor leadership legitimacy and take part in decision making (governance).”
Hamwiinga (2008:2) defines Civic Education as “an envisaged broader- based subject which relates to human beings and relationship with the natural, physical, social and cultural environment.”
According to UNDP (2004) “ Civic Education is learning for effective participation in democratic and development processes at both local and national levels”. This then implies that if the citizens have not learnt about Civic Education they will not be able to uphold good democratic values thereby failing to be part of the local and national democratic and development processes. In a democracy people have to vote for their leaders, they have to be involved in decision making and participate in development processes. Therefore, citizens can participate fully in a democratic society if they are well embraced with their civic rights and responsibilities.
As we look at Civic Education, there is need to focus on the three essential components of good Civic Education. The first one is civic knowledge is about imparting
Before going into a detailed discussion it is prudent to define the key words, that is , Civic education and Citizenship education respectively.
Civic Education is a broader field and therefore can be defined in many different ways depending on the orientation of the educators, time , place and dictates of the political regime in the country. Zambia Civic Education Association (2004:38) “Civic Education refers to the formal awareness of the country’s citizens about their moral and legal entitlements (rights), their expected moral and legal functions(duties) as well as the extent to which they can influence the utilization of national/public resources, monitor leadership legitimacy and take part in decision making (governance).”
Hamwiinga (2008:2) defines Civic Education as “an envisaged broader- based subject which relates to human beings and relationship with the natural, physical, social and cultural environment.”
According to UNDP (2004) “ Civic Education is learning for effective participation in democratic and development processes at both local and national levels”. This then implies that if the citizens have not learnt about Civic Education they will not be able to uphold good democratic values thereby failing to be part of the local and national democratic and development processes. In a democracy people have to vote for their leaders, they have to be involved in decision making and participate in development processes. Therefore, citizens can participate fully in a democratic society if they are well embraced with their civic rights and responsibilities.
As we look at Civic Education, there is need to focus on the three essential components of good Civic Education. The first one is civic knowledge is about imparting
References: Hamwiinga, B.M. (2008). The Status of Civic Education in Zambian High Schools.Lusaka: Curriculum Development Centre. Kerr,D. (2000). Citizenship Education: An international comparison. In D. Lawton ,J. Cairns and R. Gardner (eds), Education for Citizenship. London: Continuum. Kidwell, L.F (2005). The relationship between Civic Education and State Policy: An Evaluative study. A dissertation presented to the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA. Osborne, K (1982).Civic, Citizenship and Politics: Political Education in the Schools. Teacher Education. Osler, A. and Starkey, H. (2005) Changing Citizenship: Democracy and inclusion in education. Maidenhead: Open UP. McKinnon, D.(2007). Education for the good of all: Our shared perspective. In N.S.P Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Secretariat staff (ed), Commonwealth Education Partnership2007(p.vii) : Nexus Strategic Partnership. UNDP (2004) Civic Education (Practical Guidance Note) Democratic Governance Group. ----------------------- 1