Re-imagining democratic citizenship education: towards a culture of compassionate responsibility
Loading...
Date
2012-12
Authors
Davids, Nuraan
Waghid, Yusef
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Education, University of the Free State
Abstract
Benhabib (2002:134) maintains that, in order for individuals to become democratic citizens they need
to be exposed to at least three inter-related elements: collective identity, privileges of membership,
and social rights and benefits. Through exposure to these three inter-related items it is hoped that, by
means of the teaching and learning of cultural, linguistic and religious commonalities and differences,
a participatory climate of deliberation will emerge in which, ultimately, the rights of all people are
recognised and respected (Waghid, 2010:198-199). After a decade of implementing liberal conceptions
of democratic citizenship education in public schools in South Africa, questions need to be asked about
its credibility and success. We commence this article by analysing the Department of Basic Education’s
(DoBE, 2011) recently produced Building a culture of responsibility and humanity in our schools: A guide
for teachers – a practical guide for teachers that can hopefully engender democratic citizenship education
in public schools. Thereafter, in reference to a post-graduate teacher training programme at a South
African university, we argue for a renewed and enhanced version of democratic citizenship education.
Description
Keywords
Education, Democracy, Citizenship, Compassion, Responsibility
Citation
Davids, N., & Waghid, Y. (2012). Re-imagining democratic citizenship education: towards a culture of compassionate responsibility. Perspectives in Education: Rethinking citizenship and social justice in education: Special Issue, 30(4), 19-28.