Proceedings of the 15th International Academic Conference, Rome

IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION TO ACHIEVE SOCIAL COHESION IN SRI LANKA

KITHSIRI PRASANJITH MUNAGAMA, ARACHCHILLAYA ANANDA JAYAWARDANA

Abstract:

Problem statement For the sustainable development of a country, it is essential to maintain peace & harmony. Recent experience in this regard has not been encouraging in Sri Lanka due to the ethnic conflict and the war that ravaged the country for several decades. Against this background, policy makers introduced various measures to promote social integration through education. As part of curriculum reforms to promote social integration, Citizenship and governance(C&G) subject was introduced as an elective for grades 10&11at 2008 though no significant social cohesiveness experienced in society. Purpose of the study In Sri Lanka 32% of students select C&G and 71% of them obtained a pass at General certificate of Education (ordinary level) examination. However Sri lanka has no specific mastery program to enhance the quality of C&G teachers & the teaching process. This study examines how the existing curriculum intervention of C&G contributes to achieve social cohesion. Methods Qualitative data are gathered through class room observations, teacher interviews, content analysis of text books and analysis of teaching methods in teachers guides. Quantitative data are gathered by attitude test and G.C.E. (O.L) results. Findings and Results Present text books do not cater to the cohesiveness, teachers showed a poor level of soft skills to transform social integration, schools do not promote the social integration and students continue to display their ethnic exclusiveness during in school activities. Conclusions and Recommendations The C & G text books to be revised and subject should be made compulsory. Quality teacher training programs should be commenced.

Keywords: Social cohesion,Citizenship Education

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2015.015.126

PDF: Download