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Education for Democratic Citizenship through A Literacy‐based Approach: A Case of South African Township Children
Author(s) -
Joubert Ina,
Phatudi Nkidi,
Harris Teresa,
Moen Melanie
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
children and society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1099-0860
pISSN - 0951-0605
DOI - 10.1111/chso.12070
Subject(s) - democracy , citizenship , literacy , citizenship education , pedagogy , qualitative research , exploratory research , literacy education , position (finance) , sociology , political science , economic growth , social science , law , politics , economics , finance
The study contextualises the position of child citizens in the S outh A frican democracy and highlights how education for democratic citizenship is employed through a literacy‐based approach. The qualitative study was exploratory and based on a lesson presented to nine‐year‐old township children by giving them language‐related tasks. Through the children's voices we present the life experiences that expressed their need for basic services, education, extra facilities and security. We argue that children need to experience the benefits of democracy and education for democratic citizenship to build and sustain a resilient democratic society.