Opinions of Secondary School Students on Roles of Civic Education in Promoting Political Knowledge and Civic Engagement in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examines the opınıons of Secondary School Students on roles of cıvıc educatıon in promotıng polıtıcal knowledge and cıvıc engagement in Kaduna State,Nıgerıa. A descriptive survey using quantitative approach was employed. The population of the study consisted of 5,503 secondary school students in Zaria and Giwa education Zone, out of which a sample of  367 were selected to collect data from SSII students of 8 public schools using a validated questionnaire. Utilizing a four-point modified Likert scale, data was obtained using a validated questionnaire, "Efficacy of Civic Education in Promoting Political Knowledge and Civic Engagement Skills Students" (PIPKOCES). Results revealed that civic education does enhance understanding of Nigeria's political system (M=3.65), awareness about civic responsibilities (M=3.16), and recognition of the importance of voting (M=3.82) among students. However, the curriculum has not been successful in either developing political discussions among students (M=2.31) or fostering community service participation (M=1.93), indicating that there is a disparity between what is taught and what is practiced. The one-sample t-test statistical analysis enabled the confirmation of civic education's powerful effect on students' political knowledge (t=2.01, p<0.001) and civic engagement skills (t=2.48, p<0.001), although some differences occurred between urban and rural students. Thus, at the crossroads of Nigeria’s electoral violence and youth powerlessness, an engaged civic education has the potential to change the dynamics of political apathy into an inclusive discourse of participation. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others the use of active teaching and learning methods to promote students’ participation in political discourse.