CSPE- A Citizenship Course
Student voice and contribution is vital for students’ development on an individual and collective level. At Scoil Iósaif students are encouraged to become active in their own education and society. Civic, Social and Political Education (CSPE) contributes to building the skills students will need to contribute positively to a democratic society and to promote sustainable living. It gives them an understanding of social, economic and political structures at local, national and global levels and the opportunity to imagine and create ways in which they can make a difference to the lives of individuals and communities. CSPE is studied as a short course non-examination subject.
CSPE helps students to question, critique and evaluate what is happening in the world; provides students
with an understanding of their human rights and social responsibilities; prompts students to
consider how to create a more sustainable future for all; fosters an awareness of what it means
to live responsibly in a democracy; and most importantly, it places active reflective citizenship at
the centre of the learning process by providing students with the opportunity to take action and
influence change around local, national and global issues.
CSPE is an important part of a well-being programme within junior cycle as it enables students
to grow in awareness of how their well-being is connected to the well-being of others, locally and
globally. It also develops students’ sense of responsibility for the well-being of others.
Our school is linked with St Vincent De Paul, World Wise Global School and the School of Sanctuary initiative; among others, to extend students civic learning into other subjects and outside the classroom.