The Ripple Effect of Civic Education Empowerment: Unravelling the Pillars of Good Citizenship

Abstract

Discourse on pivotal current issues through and in education is the best approach to promote civic engagement and meaningful political participation among the youth. In this paper, the benefits of civic education empowerment from among Grade 12 students of Sablan National High School was explored. The essence of civic education empowerment has three main goals: political knowledge and understanding, democratic attitudes, and a readiness for democratic political action. Schools play an important role in catalyzing increased civic engagement; they can do this by enabling the youth to develop and practice the knowledge, beliefs, and behaviours needed to participate in civic life. The ripple effect of civic education empowerment is manifested in the relevant learning experiences obtained by the participants in terms of their civic knowledge and civic skills. As to how these civic knowledge and civic skills enhance their civic dispositions and participation, it is evident that participant-respondents assimilated the necessary civic knowledge for an informed choice which reflects their civic dispositions in the formulation of their standards for suffrage. Civic knowledge, civic skills, and civic dispositions and participation constitute the core elements of an informed and active citizenship.