CSPE

Civic Social Political Education is part of the Junior Certificate core curriculum since 1997. It is timetabled for one class period a week.

The central concept of the CSPE course is citizenship.

What is citizenship?
What does it mean to be an active citizen?
What is the core of citizenship?
How does it apply to me?

“Citizenship is about creating what ought to be rather than adapting to what is…..the essential task of citizenship is not to predict the future it is to create it”

(Introduction to Citizenship Programme Foroige, NYDO 1994)

Through the study of seven concepts students will be informed about active participatory

What Will I Learn At CSPE?

Rights & Responsibilities

Every human being is entitled to basic rights, but we also have a responsibility to others, and there is a constant need to safeguard peoples’ rights.

Topics: Children’s Rights, Refugees, Older People, UDHR, Bullying.

Human Dignity

Every human being has the right to live their lives with dignity and to be treated with respect.

Topics: Homelessness, Bullying, Refugees, Education, Basic Needs, Discrimination

Stewardship

Caring responsibly for our environment and the planet on which we live.

Topics: Recycling, Global Warming, Ozone Layer, Conservation, Pollution.

Development

Improvements taking place in local, national or international communities.

Topics: Change, Planning, Fair Trade, Underdevelopment, Developing World.

Democracy

Citizens voting to elect people to represent them in government.