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Good civil education `the antithesis of indoctrination'
A form of education that tells children how to be good citizens might sound like a slap in the face of democracy
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em>A form of education that tells children how to be good citizens might sound like a slap in the face of democracy. However, some believe that civic education could in fact be used as a method to teach democratic values. The Jakarta Post interviewed Charles N. Quigley, the executive director of Center for Civic Education (CCE), a US-based organization focusing on civic education for students in the US and other countries. Recently, the organization cosponsored the 14th World Congress on Civic Education, held in Jakarta.
Question: How would you define civic education and does the concept evolve? How has it changed over the years and what is the most ideal form for it today?
Answer: Definitions, forms, and objectives of civic education vary greatly from indoctrination in the ideology of a regime to the fostering of enlightenment and civic engagement guided by a reasoned commitment to fundamental values and principles of modern constitutional democracy. I prefer the latter and all of our programs are guided by it.
Most civic education programs in most countries over the years have been focused upon fostering an unreflective patriotism and support for regimes. I think this has been true not only in totalitarian and authoritarian states, but in many democracies such as the US. I know that there have been notable exceptions to such practices in the US.
Since the 1960s there has been a growing movement to reform and revitalize civic education in the US, with a similar movement internationally that began with the break-up of the former Soviet Union. So, there is now a worldwide movement in education for democracy exemplified by the Civitas program that just convened the World Congress on Civic Education in Jakarta attended by leaders from 59 countries.
Have the CCE's form of civic education itself ever been accused of being an indoctrination?
Many people in countries making the transition from authoritarian or totalitarian regimes are suspicious of civic education because such regimes almost universally did have civic education programs that were indoctrination in Marxism or whatever ideology the regime purported to adhere to.
I have heard people from such countries say they do not want to substitute one form of indoctrination that they abhor for another form of indoctrination. However, when they actually see sound exemplary civic education programs focused on democracy and human rights with students in classrooms, they tend to support their implementation.
When someone says that civic education programs that foster democracy are just another form of indoctrination, I reply that civic education programs that help students learn to think for themselves are the antithesis of indoctrination. Students are free to choose to support democracy or any other ideology. A major goal of civic education is to help students fully understand the alternatives and their consequences.
How do you measure the outcome of civic education?
Greater participation in the democratic process by a greater number of people whose participation demonstrates enlightenment and knowledge and understanding.
What are the biggest strengths and challenges in making an "Indonesian version" of civic education?
Indonesia appears to be making significant progress in its transition from an authoritarian system to democracy. It has the advantage of having many educational leaders, who are very knowledgeable about what makes good civic education. I have also seen outstanding teachers in Indonesia and teachers are the key to a good civic education. So one of the most important challenges to face is the need to develop sound curricular programs, train teachers in their use, set aside time in the curriculum for their implementation, and support their implementation.
Democracies are supposed to be of, by, and for the people. The people are the ultimate source of the authority of the government.
Indonesia needs, as does the United States and all other countries aspiring to realize the promise of democracy, to continually foster such a political culture generation after generation. That is why civic education is so important. People are not born genetically disposed to democracy, they must be taught.
Have there been any obstacles over the years to implement these programs?
Yes, for example there are pressures in the US to ensure students are good at mathematics and at reading and testing to evaluate (those abilities). As a consequence, all other subjects, such as literature, the sciences, physical education, arts and crafts, and civic education either receive diminished attention or are eliminated. So you get an unbalanced curriculum in these schools, particularly the schools in the poor areas because in many places the teacher's jobs depend on how well their students do in mathematics and reading.
The US education system is in a very bad state in my opinion. Many other countries here are offering a much more balanced curriculum. That's with the exception of the wealthy parts of the US. In many cases, the parents are providing money to schools to enrich their curricula.
