Civic pluralism: a quest to address secondary school curriculum of Nepal
Date
2009-10
Authors
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Publisher
Faculty of Education, Tribhuvan University Kirtipur
Abstract
main purpose of this study was to find out the perceptions of different ethnics groups
of people on civic education, civic knowledge and civic values and its representation in the
secondary school curriculum of Nepal. This study also identifies how far the Nepalese secondary
school level curriculum has given place to civic education.
This study followed qualitative research methodology to identify the perceptions of
different individuals on civic education and its knowledge and values. The field study was
conducted in Lalitpur district Saibu VDC word no. 6, 7 Bhaisepati. The research participants
were the people from three ethnic groups, school teachers and SLC graduates. For the collection
of information in-depth interviews, discussion and observation were conducted. Document study
was also done to find out the situation of civic components in secondary level school curriculum.
The information was collected than triangulated and interpreted linking with different theories.
The findings indicate that the secondary school curriculum has not been able to address
the cultural values of different ethnic groups of people. Document study shows that less value
has been given to civic education in different periods of time. Teachers and students claimed that
there are not enough civic contents and pedagogical processes in the secondary school level
curriculum. Ethnic civic cultural values are largely ignored. Civic education has got less priority
in secondary school level curriculum.
In this context, it is there fore concluded that there is need to address ethnic civic values
and socio cultural orientations in school level curriculum as well as contextualizing at the local
level. Civic components such as civic knowledge, democratic culture, tolerance, cooperative
Civic Pluralism ii
attitudes and constitutional knowledge etc should be incorporated in social studies and other
subjects like EPH, Nepali and English subjects also in secondary level school curriculum.
Description
Keywords
Civil democracy, Family, Civic knowledge, Education, Civic Pluralism, Civic Education