Απολιτικοποίηση και αποχή: Το χρέος της Παιδείας

Περίληψη

Considering the high turnout in the recent elections in Cyprus for the European Parliament and the elections for President of the Republic of Cyprus last year, as well as the disappointing results of the Cypriot students in the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) in 2009, this paper aims to investigate the factors that affect the political knowledge of students and their intention to vote in elections during adulthood. The data obtained from the ICCS national questionnaire and the achievement test that examined the political knowledge of the 3194 Cypriot eighth grade students who participated in the survey. Data analysis was performed using structural equation models and demonstrated parents’ education, classroom’s climate and students’ engagement in school activities as important factors that can predict the political knowledge of students. At the same time, political knowledge and active involvement of students in extracurricular activities affect their future electoral behavior, while their action in society emerged that has a negative effect on political knowledge. These findings lead us to reflect on our role as educators and our responsibility for fostering students’ active citizenship.