THEPURPOSEOFCITIZENSHIPEDUCATION
OverviewofLithuanianNationalDocuments
From the 1st September 2023 Lithuanian schools are moving towards a renewed curriculum content that focuses on competency-based education. The updated curricula include citizenship education and citizenship education competences in all subjects. The strengthening of competences incitizenshipeducationincludesthepossibilitytointegratethe basis of citizenship andnationalsecurity,medialiteracy,criticalthinkinginthecurriculumof different subjects and in the general school activities. Students can also develop citizenship and national defence skills through non-formal education, involvement in the Lithuanian Rifle Union or other activities that include citizenship education topics on responsible behaviour,weightydecisions,andcommunitysafety
"Thecurriculumpresentstheeducationalcontentinconcentricunits:
Grades 1-4 (an integrated subject), Grades 5-6, 7-8 (integrated with history and geography), Grades9-10(aseparatesubject).
The content of eacheducationalconcentricunitconsistsofthefollowingactivities,whichare relativelyseparatebutintegratedintheeducationalprocess:
- knowing and exploring oneself and society. This area of educational activity places greater emphasis on cognitive activities and provides a foundation for civic literacy Pupils willalsodeveloptheirresearchskillsbyapplyingtheknowledgetheyhaveacquired;
- Participation and initiating change in the community. This is an area of educational activity designed to develop students' practical skills.Thepracticalskillsofresponsiblecivic participation are developedonlythroughactiveparticipationinthecivic/politicalcommunity Indoingso,theyalsodevelopthemotivationtoinitiatechangetosolveproblems;
-building and maintaining social relations. This area of educationalactivityenablespupils to develop democratic, civic and national attitudes. It helps them to understand that the creation of rules and laws, respect for them, cooperation and peaceful resolution ofconflicts are the main means of peaceful coexistence in a community Pupils become more aware of the benefits of peaceful democratic coexistence, and develop the motivation to create sucha way of life in their own environment, etc. The competences acquired become the basis for further development and dissemination of civic values throughacommitmenttoone'snation andstate."(Nationalcurriculum)
The compulsory curriculum on Citizenship for students in grades 1-II (9-10) has been updated and the themes based on human rights and child’s rights expanded. The optional National Security and National Defence programme for students in Gymnasium III-IV (grades 11-12) has been updated. In cooperation with the Ministry of National Defence, teachersarebeingtrainedtoteachNationalSecurityandNationalDefence.
Waystopromotecitizenshipatschool:
-integratingcitizenshipeducationintothegeneralcurriculaofothersubjects(6-16years);
- a separate course in citizenship education grade I-II (or grade9-10,15-16years)for1hour perweek;
- mandatory social activities I-II (or grade 9-10, 15-16 years) 20 hours and (17-18)70hours over2years.
CITIZENSHIPEDUCATIONOBJECTIVES
Objectivesofcitizenshipeducationinaneducationalinstitution:
-Todevelopanactivememberoftheciviccommunity;
- to develop a conscious citizen who understands his/her rights and duties and is able to participateconstructivelyinthelifeofsocietyandthestateandtoimproveit;
- to help youngpeopletobecomeawareofthevaluesofdemocracywhichtheymustdevelop intheirfamily,community,nation,stateandworld;
-tostrengthenyoungpeople'sawarenessofthedutiesandresponsibilitiesofeverycitizen;
- foster respect for the fundamental values of a democratic society and state: human dignity, freedom, equality, justice and legitimacy, tolerance, solidarity, loyaltytothedemocraticstate andnation;
- foster love of the homeland, responsibility for one's nation and state, and national self-esteem.
It is important and necessary for the educational establishment to provide the conditions for pupils to develop aninnerneedtobeactive,tobeabletoanalysesocial,politicalandcultural reality and the conflicts that may arise within it, to develop the ability to make free and consciousjudgements,evaluationsanddecisionsinanopenandpluralistsociety
THESITUATIONOFCITIZENSHIPEDUCATIONINLITHUANIA
Researches show that the influence of civic awareness is on the rise (research conducted in 2016). The biggest changes are felt in the youth group. In 2016, NGOs were active in encouraging young people to participate actively in the electoral campaign. Youth civic engagement is strengthened by participation in various extracurricular activities, both at school and in non-formal education institutions. In particular, civic competence is strengthened through participation in voluntary activities (Civic Empowerment Index). The reasonsstudentsdovolunteeringare:thedesiretogainknowledge,toimprovetheirskills,the non-monetary reward, to meet new people and broaden their circle of acquaintances, the desire to help others and to have a good time. Surveys show that the most effective civic education is not in the classroom but in activities outside school. Researcher V. Čepaitė states that "Few teachers mention civic education objectives related to promoting active participation". (Čepaitė, V., Švietimo problemos analizė. Pilietinio ugdymo įgyvendinimo politika:tikslai,priemonės,rezultatai,2013,Vilnius.5p.)
Teacher surveys explain that the limited number of lessons and the limited possibilities for interesting citizenship lessons areabarriertothedeliveryofinterestingandeffectivelessons. If teachers want to teach lessons outside the school, other subjects are disrupted and pupils are less likely totakepartinactiveparticipationinpublicactivitiesanddebates.Teacherssay they do not have sufficient competences to discuss political, economic or social issues professionally with pupils. Citizenship lessons are often used to teach other subjects, citizenshiplessonsareboringandofcourseitdependsontheteacherandthestudent.
Teacher’s professional development programmes are inconsistent. Therefore, when implementing citizenship education programmes, the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport states that citizenship competences are one of the priorities forteacherdevelopmentin 2023-2025. The Ministry will invite higher education institutions to develop national professional development programmes for all teachers. Participation in these programmes willbefundedbytheState.
The National Security and National Defence elective programme for students in secondary school III-IV (11-12) is updated. In cooperation with the Ministry of National Defence, teachers are being trained to teach National Security and National Defence. It is planned to trainaround100teacherseachyear
Students will also be able to acquire important skills in cadet schools. The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport is currently intheprocessofdevelopingacurriculumforcadet education.
From 2024, there will be a second competitive queue for admission to higher education institutions, which will include compulsory initial military service, professional military service and voluntary non-permanent military service. This is intended to encourage young peopletochoosemilitaryserviceandtoacquiretheskillsneededfornationaldefence.
In Gymnasium, the basis of Citizenship subject is taught as a separate subject for I-II (or grade 9-10, 15-16 years) for 1 hour per week. For students, grade III-IV (or grade 11-12, 17-18 years). National Security and National Defence is an optional subject for 1 hour per week. National Curriculum - 20 hours of compulsory social activities in grade I-II (or grade 1-2, year 15-16) and 70 hours in grade III-IV (or grade 11-12, year 17-18). social activities overtwoyears.
Civic education is integrated into all subjects: Lithuanian language and literature, foreign languages,mathematics,informatics,socialandnaturalsciences,artsandphysicaleducation.
CIVICEDUCATIONINRADVILIŠKISLIZDEIKAGYMNASIUMLITHUANIA
Radviliškis Lizdeika Gymnasium actively implements the Erasmus+ programme and other international cooperation programmes as wellasnationalandlocalprojects.Themainaimof which is citizenship education, strengthening civic values and social responsibility Civic initiatives are encouraged. The content, activities and results of the projects are integrated into the formal and non-formal curricula of the gymnasium. Project activities and results contribute to moreeffectivecitizenshipeducation.SomeconcreteexamplesaretheErasmus+ programmes, project "Active to Strengthen European Values", which has broadened the educational content of the Gymnasium through the establishment of a Debating Club, increased focus and activities in lessons in various subjects, and the use of debating and public speaking methods. Another Erasmus+ project, "Today's student - responsible entrepreneurtomorrow.Teacher'smethodology"improvesteachers'professionalcompetences in developing a responsible and civic young person for the 21st century, and reinforces the values of social responsibility among pupils. The gymnasium organises charity and philanthropy events and initiates activities that strengthen the community. Teachers and students actively participate in local and national projects, with a particular focus on the Holocaust and Jewish culture, as Lithuania had a large Jewish communitybeforeWorldWar II. The Gymnasium has a Tolerance Education Centre. It is also a member of the UNESCO
network of schools and one of the most active schools in Lithuania. The activities of this networkfocusonecologyandconsumerism.
Class teachers work with pupils to develop plans for the school year to implement class community activities that prioritise citizenship, and organise class hours that focus on strengtheningsocialskillsandcivicvalues.
The school hasaparliament,whosemembersarepupils,teachersandparents.Theschoolhas a student council, made up of representatives from each class, and an English debate club, whichanalysesanddiscussestopicalissuesinthecommunity,thecountryandtheworld.
Extra-curricular activities such as events, trips and involvement in social organisations help todevelopyoungpeople'sciviccompetences.
CONCLUSION