Challenges to Interruptive Democratic Citizenship Education in Postwar Contexts: The Case of Sri Lanka

• In Event: 41.083 - Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: 41.083-23 - Perspectives in Peace Education

Abstract

This study examines how young people in conflict-affected societies develop as democratic citizens and the factors that challenge and support their development. It draws on citizenship textbooks, classroom observations, and interviews with secondary students in post-war Sri Lanka to understand how current education policies that promote values of peace and social cohesion through democratic citizenship education are translated into practice. Results show that both curriculum and students’ understanding of citizenship is heavily weighted towards obedience and traditions at the individual level rather than addressing social justice issues at the societal level. Additionally, most students expressed a desire to learn about and understand the cause of the 30-year civil war; however, curriculum, teachers, and classrooms are not conducive to these discussions.

Author

• Thursica Kovinthan, University of Ottawa