Press Release
Date: Tuesday 28 March 2006 (NR/10/06)
CCEA and UU deliver report to assist the teaching of citizenship
CCEA and the University of Ulster have published an interim report on the findings of an evaluation of the introduction of Local and Global Citizenship at Key Stage 3. The report also highlights the key issues for schools to consider before statutory implementation in September 2007.
From then Citizenship, which includes areas such as human rights, democracy and social justice will be an integral part of the revised curriculum in post-primary schools. The report, which includes responses from 33 schools already involved in piloting this new area, highlights issues such as leadership within schools; timetabling; support for teachers and getting the balance right between teaching ‘local’ and ‘global’ citizenship in the classroom.
Commenting on the publication of the interim research Clare McAuley , Officer for Citizenship at CCEA said;
“We continue to be impressed by the commitment of teachers and the engagement of pupils in this exciting new strand of the curriculum and we recognise that schools continue to require well planned and resourced support for successful implementation.
CCEA will be looking very carefully at the findings and working with our educational partners to ensure that Local and Global Citizenship makes a positive contribution to the all round educational experience of our young people.”
Local and Global Citizenship is being piloted in the majority of post-primary schools in Northern Ireland in advance of statutory implementation.
Researchers at the UNESCO Centre, University of Ulster are undertaking the evaluation over a four year period. A combination of research methods have been used to reflect the views of the educational community.
Interviews have been conducted with nine ELB Officers responsible for Citizenship and PCGE students specialising in Citizenship education. Over 500 Year 8 pupils from 33 post-primary schools across Northern Ireland involved in the pilots completed pre and post-test survey, about issues related to Citizenship. Six of the pilot schools provided case studies, including interviews and questionnaires with teachers and principals.
Information gathered by the researchers, such as the comment below, will inform future thinking behind policy and practice of Citizenship.
“I like the global side of it because it shifts the focus and you can make comparisons, which I think is important because they can see that sectarianism is not just about Northern Ireland…sectarianism exists in other countries too.” (Teacher)
The findings to date are preliminary and further evidence may emerge in the course of the evaluation.
We believe that all of the educational partners are confident the issues highlighted in the interim report can be addressed by schools before Citizenship becomes a statutory requirement of what is taught in schools.
Copies of the Evaluation Briefing are available free of charge by contacting; Clare McAuley at CCEA on 028 9026 1200or by email cmcauley@ccea.org.uk.
Further information about this evaluation and copies of the full Interim Report can be obtained from Ulrike Niens or Una O’Connor at the UNESCO Centre, School of Education , University of Ulster , Coleraine.
At the heart of the revised Northern Ireland Curriculum is Learning for Life and Work which includes Local and Global Citizenship.
Local and Global Citizenship addresses four key concepts:
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Human Rights and Social Responsibility
- Equality and Social Justice
- Democracy and Active Participation
Learning for Life and Work is being run on a pilot basis in 97 schools and colleges in Northern Ireland to help with the smooth introduction of these new areas . It includes areas such as Personal, Social and Health Education, Citizenship and Employability.
Aspects of Learning for Life and Work will become part of the statutory curriculum from September 2007 onwards.
CCEA has produced learning and teaching resource materials for Local and Global Citizenship at Key Stage 3 and these are complemented by a wide variety of case study and resource materials on local and global issues produced by voluntary organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Local media, including the BBC, UTV and Channel 4 have also produced resources.
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
