학교 민주시민교육의 현황 및 활성화 방안: 교육법적 관점에서

Abstract

Democratic civic education is the most important goal of education in a democratic country. The ability as a democratic citizen is an essential element of the constitutional right to education. In terms of legislation, however, the concept of democratic civic education has not been established or formally adopted in spite of the long argument. The essence of social studies, the core subject of democratic civic education in school education, has faded somewhat, and in the curriculum of national level, it remains a crosscurricula education. Legislation or enactment of ordinances have been required to overcome these limitations. In this article, we examined the normative significance of democratic civic education through the analysis of laws and ordinances to support democratic civic education, and recently considered the efforts and limitations of the central and local governments to promote democratic civic education in schools. Thus, it proposed improvement measures for the activation of democratic civic education for its original purpose. First, it should be included in the revision of the Constitution, and it should place importance on fostering democratic citizens in the provision of education. If the Constitution is revised to specify democratic citizen education, a harmonious or active interpretation of the provision of political neutrality of education can be made, and legislative and policy basis can be established for democratic civic education. Second, legislation of the Democratic Civic Education Support Act is needed. It is necessary for all students to be provided with the experience of democratic civic education in a stable manner, without any regional differences, by stipulating in law what is necessary to carry out the education of democratic citizens in schools systematically. However, it would be desirable for the central government to focus on laying the foundation for democratic civic education and providing indirect support. Third, support for the revitalization of democratic civic education in schools should be strengthened through ordinances. In pursuit of a process-oriented education method and evaluation, it is essential to strengthen the competence of teachers. Reinforcement of teacher capacity for democratic civic education is necessary not only through teacher training, but also through the establishment of training centers and educational institutes. It is necessary to stipulate the establishment and support of educational institutions on a local level as an ordinance through legislation. Fourth, it will be necessary to enhance teachers’ competence and improve the curriculum so that all students can easily access and participate in the school’s democratic civic education courses, reduce learning alienation according to students’ socioeconomic background, and create a democratic classroom environment.