site.bta Election Rigging, Radicalization Included in Civic Studies Syllabus of School-leaving Students

Election Rigging, Radicalization Included in Civic Studies Syllabus of School-leaving Students

Sofia, August 23 (BTA)- Civic studies are going to be included in the curriculum of 11- and 12-grade students. The working drafts of the civic studies syllabus were presented Tuesday by Education and Science Minister Meglena Kuneva.

The syllabus has also been uploaded on the Ministry's website and will be put up for public discussion in 2018. New topics may be added to the syllabus by that time. Kuneva said that the syllabus is more practically-oriented.

Eleventh-grade students will study "Civics, Politics and Democracy" with a sub-headings "Freedom, Citizenship and Power". Students will learn to differentiate between direct, representative and participatory democracy, as well as the types of election systems.

The topic "I and My Civil Position" aims to foster abilities to evaluate the role of the NGO-sector, knowledge about the forms of citizens' control and motivation to apply them. Much attention is paid to knowledge about major social groups and communities, mindsets, the role of language, religion, ethnic identity and the traditions for social cohesion. Special stress is laid on European values and traditions.

Topics about the global problems affecting Bulgaria are included in the civic studies syllabus for 12-grade students: terrorism, xenophobia, ethnic tension and radicalization. Attention will also be devoted to social policy and partnership.