Okoro Daniel O.
Definition: Civic Education is an academic discipline which aim to inculcate the right value, positive attitude and behavior that are considered acceptable to the society. It is also the study of the duties and rights of a citizen in their society.
Civic Education also entails the exposition of individuals to those necessary awareness of democratic value that will enable them to make useful contribution to the society’s political developments, both to their nation and the world community at large.
Civic Education can also be referred to as CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF CIVIC EDUCATION
The aims and objectives of Civic Education (also known as Citizenship Education) are numerous. However, here are few;
- To expose individuals to the basic concept and provision of constitutions and its relevance towards the social cultural diversity of their respective community.
- To inculcate in individuals the awareness of democratic value, socio-political institution and the citizens rights and obligation to the society..
- To help individuals understand leadership and followership qualities that can help establish good governance in the community.
- To build in individuals religious tolerance in the existence of diversity.
- To build also in individuals with sound mental judgement analysis and objective criticism of government activities in their community.
- To sustain nation building and democracy.
IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF STUDYING CIVIC EDUCATION
- The study of Civic Education helps to instill the proper and necessary value needed by individuals to function effectively in the society.
- Civic Education enhance the spirit of nationalism and patriotism in individuals which is needed to strengthen their national unity.
- The knowledge of Civic Education expands one’s knowledge about government and its various activities in the community.
- It also promote the spirit of peaceful living and tolerance especially among people of diversified cultural and ethnic background.
- It enables individuals to understand the numerous problems of their country (community/society) and how to drive it to function.
MAJOR PLAYERS (AGENTS) OF CIVIC EDUCATION
- The family
- The schools
- The immediate community
- Religious institution
- The mass media
- Political parties
- Peer groups.
THE FAMILY
The first group a child wakes up to meet is the family. This means the first upbringing process of a child towards Civic Education starts with the family. Therefore, the family serves as the major player in Civic Education.
THE SCHOOLS
After family the next group/association a child gets exposed to is the school, so he/she could read and write. School which happens to be the fastest means of getting educated is expected to define its activities towards building programs that will shape the child properly.
