Understandings of citizenship education in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland: Public discourses among stakeholders in the public and private sectors

Abstract

Internationally, citizenship education has come to the fore in the past decade. It may be particularly important within the context of societies with a legacy of political conflict, such as Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, where it is being implemented as part of the statutory curriculum.This article explores understandings of citizenship education among stakeholders in the private and public sectors in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland with the aim to compare these with curricular conceptualizations of citizenship in both contexts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in both societies involving non-governmental organizations, political parties, trade unions and the police. Results indicated that levels of awareness about citizenship education varied substantially and understandings mainly reflected current theory and curriculum practice in citizenship. Commonalities emerged as in both societies similar key concepts were identified while differences transpired over issues relating to national identity and political conflict, which may raise questions for history and citizenship education in both societies.