Democratic citizenship

JLO 310
Discussion…

What kind of citizens do we need for South Africa?

What needs to be done in order to for the youth to
develop into participative citizens?
How do we educate for democratic citizenship?
What is your definition of a democratic
citizen?
definition

 Citizenship means being a member of and supporting one’s community and

country. A citizen has an obligation to be informed, and uphold basic democratic
principles such as tolerance and civic responsibility.
Citizenship include

 Voting
 Conservation of natural resources
 Taking care of yourself
 Fairness
 Justice
 Choices
 Rights and responsibilities
 Participating in community projects
Characteristics of the modern democratic
nation-state

 The rule of law, democracy and citizenship are indicators of political legitimacy
 The linking of the state as a political community with the nation as a cultural
community, and thus linking citizenship with nationality
 The emergence of the welfare state – minimum standards of education and
welfare
Reactions to Globalization
Assimilationists Multiculturalism Transnationalism
The assimilationist Accepting immigrant Transnational
encouraged citizenship and minority groups, communities are
education to force equal rights groups whose identity
minority groups to is not primarily based
learn the national on attachment to a
language and take on certain territory – threat
the dominant social and to democratic nation
cultural practices. building
 Educators are obliged to teach students the history of democracy on a level
children can comprehend. Helping students explore citizenship and connecting it
to their lives are the keys to true understanding
 If Children learn to love and appreciate their country through thoughtful activities,
they will be more likely to become responsible, active citizens in their community,
nation and the world.
Civic literacy include:

 Knowledge – assist in understanding themselves and other citizens

 Skills – to participate actively and responsibly as citizens in a diverse nation state
like South Africa
 Values – a moral commitment to the democratic ideals and values as embedded
the Constitution and the bill of rights (1996)
Facilitating Democratic Citizenship
Education

Deliberation,
Compassionate Expansive
belligerence and
imagination patriotism
belonging
The principals of the national curriculum
statement

 Social justice, a healthy environment, human rights and inclusivity

 Outcomes based education
 A high level of skills and knowledge for all
 Clarity and accessibility
 Progression and integration
Critical and developmental outcomes

 Outcomes derived from the constitution and are contained in the south African
qualifications act (1995).
 Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative
thinking
 Work effectively with others as members as a team , group, organisation and
community
 Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsible and effectively
 Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information
 Communicate effectively using visual, symbolic and or language skills in various
modes
What are some of the activities that foster
citizenship in children?

 DISCUSSIONS ON THE MEANING OF CITIZENSHIP

ACTIVITY

 DEFINE A GOOD CITIZEN AND SHARE PERSONAL STORIES E.G.

I HELPED CLEAN UP THE PARK
I WAS FRIENDLY TO NEW CHILD FROM A DIFFERENT COUNTRY
I WALKED AWAY FROM A FIGHT
 ASK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THERE WERE NO RULES AT HOME? IN
TRAFFIC?
 INVOLVE THEM IN MAKING CLASSROOM RULES
 THEY CAN INTERVIEW A VETERAN, IMMIGRANT OR SOMEONE WHO LIVED
DURING THE APARTHEID YEARS.
 WRITE A POEM OR STORY ABOUT CITIZENSHIP, THEY CAN PERFORM IT TO
THE OTHERS
 SEARCH FOR PEOPLE WHO GENEROUSLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE GOOD OF
THE COMMUNITY
 DEBATE NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
 TAKE PICTUREs OF THEIR COMMUNITY, MAKE ABOOK ENTITLED “OUR
CITIZENS”