Challenges of civic education in Portuguese basic schools

Abstract

There is a tendency for enlarging the concept of citizenship education (as new problems arise in society) with new requirements and responsibilities for school. Is the school prepared and teachers trained for this challenge? What is the potential of ICT for civic education? This paper focuses on an ongoing action-research study involving Portuguese basic school teachers and students, in the non-disciplinary curricular area of civic education. We will discuss some preliminary data gathered from class directors interviews (n = 10), which will allow us to make important reflections around the effectiveness of this compulsory subject and launch some ideas for further work.