From classroom to ballot box: How citizenship education can make a difference.
It's no secret that voter turnout in the UK is low, particularly among young people. In the 2019 general election, The British Election study revealed that only 47% of 18-24 year olds turned out to vote, compared to 67% of those aged 65 and over. This is a worrying trend, as it means that the voices of young people are not being heard and that our democracy is not as strong as it could be.
One way to address this issue is to make Citizenship education of equal importance to other compulsory subjects like Maths and English.
But what is Citizenship education?
Citizenship education is an important part of the National Curriculum that can help young people understand the democratic process and their role as citizens. Pupils are taught about democracy, politics, parliament and voting. They also learn about human rights, justice, the law, media and information literacy, climate change and sustainability, personal finance and the economy. Throughout the subject teaching is brought to life using real, topical issues and case studies in local to global contexts, which helps them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the importance of voting and civic engagement.
But citizenship education is about more than just voting. It's about teaching young people how to be active and engaged citizens who are informed about the issues that affect their communities. By learning how to analyse and evaluate different sources of information, students become more interested and knowledgeable. This is especially important in today's world, where there is so much misinformation and fake news particularly in social media.
In my experience, only 42 out of the 250 girls in my year chose to do GCSE citizenship, but in comparison to the landslide of students that were required to do GCSE Maths and English, this is appalling. Every student across the country is required to do Maths and English, as they are ‘trusted and traditionally set as benchmarked, required skills for multiple job opportunities’, explains an article written by Learn Direct, in April 2022. Even though this may be somewhat true, why are other fundamental skills regarding wider society being completely unrecognised and ignored?
I believe that part of the problem is that citizenship education is not seen as a core subject. This needs to change. It's time for society to recognise the importance of citizenship education and its role in shaping responsible and educated members of society. I was lucky enough to be one of the few who took this course, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. The subject has taught me about democracy, human rights, government, and social justice, which has equipped me with a much greater understanding of issues and events within our society today.
Citizenship education can also help promote social cohesion and reduce prejudice. By learning about different cultures, religions, and ways of life, students can develop a greater understanding and respect for diversity. This can help create a more inclusive and tolerant society, where everyone feels valued and respected.
Finally, citizenship education can help increase voter turnout. According to a study by the Electoral Commission, young people who are taught about politics and government are more likely to vote than those who are not. In fact, the study found that 61% of young people who had received citizenship education said they were ‘very likely’ to vote, compared to just 39% of those who had not.
In conclusion, citizenship education is a vital part of the National Curriculum that should be of equal importance to other subjects. By teaching young people about the democratic process, critical thinking, social cohesion, and the importance of voting, we can create a more engaged, informed electorate and citizen. So let's make citizenship education a priority in every school, and help create a better future for all.
Written by Arianne, a year 10 student at Carshalton High School for Girls