Why implementing Citizenship in classrooms is important?

What is to be truly educated?

Is it enough to be promoted from one grade to another or reading from the vast list of prescribed curriculum books? or you would want your child to know the ways of the world and the ways of things around them as well. Education does not just comprise of something that is taught by teaching different subjects back to back, it is also acquired through experience and observations around the world we live in.

What is Citizenship?

Citizenship requires people to work together for a goal that will benefit the society not just an individual. When you are a part of the society, your actions and behaviour are not just limited to you. What you do? how you act? impacts where you stay and how other people look at you.

Having a Global Perspective

Though we belong to different states and countries — Children should be encouraged to look at the world from a wider lens because we are part of a big global community. Having a wider lens helps us to develop respect and tolerance for people of different countries and communities.

Education begins at home

When a child is taught something at school but he/she does not see that being practised at home it becomes difficult for them to relate to what is taught and told in the classrooms. for example if the children in school are taught to segregate waste before they dump it in the dustbin but they do not see the same thing being practised at home it becomes difficult for them to relate what they learn and what they practise.

“Education begins at home. You can’t blame the school for not putting into your child what you don’t put into him”-Geoffrey Holder

Encourage students to think about their carbon footprint

The difference between need and want can be easily explained to the students through activities. Discussions around how much we consume/buy and what effect it can have on the environment will help them understand their own carbon footprint.

Creating an environment where children can speak

Children should be encouraged to voice out their opinion, they should be encouraged to start campaigns on matters that bother them, write speeches, present their views on different issues happening around them and happening globally.

Students model what they see

Just talking to kids about citizenship and making a frame work to execute it like a lesson plan might not be enough. Educators need to bring these small changes in their lives as well, when you practice sustainability it will be easier to preach. Habits like recycling, segregating waste, removing plastic from your life, conscious buying are some great ways to start.

How can citizenship be implemented in schools?

There are various ways in which citizenship can be implemented in schools:

1. Celebrating different cultures and traditions to encourage diversity in the classrooms.
2. Talk about national, local and international issues in the classroom. Let the kids know what’s happening around the world.
3. Let Children take responsibility of their actions, at the same time they should be encouraged to present their perspectives.
4. Talk about the Sustainable Development Goals in the classroom. The SDG’s are inclusive of a variety of topics that students should know and act upon to be part of the global community.
5. Encourage volunteering at school and outside — Acts of cleaning the corridor, assisting the people in kitchen, volunteering to work in the school garden. Going to different organisations through the school like animal rescue, government schools etc to offer help and donate what is needed.
6. Appreciating people who provide service to the community like the policemen, gardener, nurse etc. is a great idea to foster the sense of citizenship amongst students. Inviting them to class can help kids connect for closely.
7. Give examples of students who are changing the world- by their little acts but thoughtful plan and bravery.
8. Hosting elections in school is a great way to teach democratic rights. The process of nomination, campaigning, voting, vote counting etc can be a good way to teach about rights and responsibilities.