Civic education helps combat political misinformation.
Civic education is training linked to citizenship . It is about the instruction that aims to build good citizens: people who act with civility and respect, contribute to peaceful coexistence and are prepared to exercise their political rights.
Civic education is considered to be very important in a democracy . That is why it is usually constituted as a school subject or subject that deals with issues such as the national Constitution, electoral systems, citizen participation and human rights.
Characteristics of civic education
Civic education disseminates practical and theoretical issues that are related to the exercise of citizenship. It revolves around the rights and obligations of citizens and promotes social coexistence based on tolerance.
One of the purposes of this type of training is to instill civic responsibility . It seeks to enable individuals to participate in public debate and elections, understanding the functioning of the division of powers (Executive Branch, Legislative Branch and Judicial Branch), local administration and political parties, for example.
At school, through class debates, educational games and other resources, the foundations are laid so that students can exercise activism, carry out political analysis and develop critical thinking. It can be said, in this sense, that civic education provides knowledge for decision-making in democratic life .
Beyond the school environment, civic education also appears in higher-level subjects. On the other hand, there is civic education that is carried out in other environments: government initiatives, proposals from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or international organizations, etc.
Promoting community projects requires civic education.
Some examples
The best-known example of civic education is the school subject already mentioned. In that case, the contents are part of the primary education curriculum. It is important to note that each country imposes its characteristics on school civic education: it is common, in this framework, to teach how the political system evolved to reach the current state.
Public awareness campaigns are another example of civic education. Suppose that the authorities of a country develop a plan to combat dengue. Through an information campaign in the media and social networks, they explain to citizens that it is the responsibility of each person to eliminate, in their own homes, containers that can accumulate water and become a suitable place for mosquitoes that They transmit the disease by laying their eggs. Thus, each subject must be in charge of eliminating pots, tires and other elements that, located outdoors, can collect water. Without assuming this individual responsibility, a dengue epidemic can spread that affects the entire community.
During election times, on the other hand, civic education is common. During electoral campaigns , voters are tried to learn how they should cast their vote and they are informed of their rights and obligations. For example, in a nation where voting is mandatory for all citizens between 18 and 70 years old, civic education involves making this obligation known and disseminating the sanctions for those who fail to comply with electoral laws.
Civic education must consider constitutional changes.
Importance of civic education
As can be seen, civic education has great relevance in the reality of a country. The education of each citizen benefits the community as a whole since democracy is strengthened .
Thanks to civic education, people know their responsibilities and rights and have tools to engage in public affairs . With civic knowledge, they are in a position to control the actions of those in power, demanding transparency.
It also helps raise awareness about individual responsibility, thereby promoting solidarity and empathy and favoring conflict resolution through dialogue .
Tips for educators
When teaching civic education, it is advisable to take into account several issues:
- Start by focusing on key concepts : citizenship, politics, voting, etc.
- Appeal to examples that involve students . One possibility is to organize a vote to elect the class delegate or representative and imitate the operation of the electoral system.
- Promote debate among students . This encourages them to defend their position and respect the other's vision.
- Promote interest in current events in their city and country . It is important that young people become aware of issues of public interest and the influence they have on their own lives and those of their families.
Civic Education for American Citizenship
It is interesting to mention that, to apply for US citizenship, one of the requirements is to pass a civic education exam .
Nationalization or naturalization is the process through which a citizen of a certain State obtains the nationality or citizenship of another State. In the case of the United States , in addition to meeting various requirements, you must pass an English evaluation and another civic education evaluation.
The civics test requires knowledge of the history and form of government of the United States . The exam is oral and consists of ten questions, of which at least six must be answered correctly.
What is the nation's supreme law, what is an amendment, who creates federal laws, and when the Declaration of Independence was adopted are some of the questions that may appear on the civics test.