Civic Educational Experiences of the Grade Six Pupils in Public Elementary Schools

This study examined the relationship between civic educational experiences and perceived effectiveness of civic educational experiences in the development of civic competencies of the grade six pupils in the Municipality of Indang. This study also employed descriptive research design utilizing quantitative methodology to answer the research questions that were raise in this study. The respondents for this study were 291 Grade Six pupils from six randomly selected public elementary schools in Indang, Cavite. Survey questionnaires were utilize to gather data from the respondents. Descriptive statistics were use in order to address the research questions raised in this study. Frequency count, mean, percentage, standard deviation and Pearson’s correlation coefficient or Pearson Product-Moment Correlation were used to analyze the data gathered. It was revealed from the findings that the civic educational experiences in public elementary schools in the Municipality of Indang were limited and inconsistently provided to Grade Six pupils with participation in flag ceremony as the only consistent civic activity offered to pupils in school. The civics classes in public elementary schools in Indang were often conducted using a standard lecture/textbook approaches. It was established that the civic educational experiences of grade six pupils have the potential to positively promote the students’ acquisition of civic competencies. The civic activities offered in public elementary schools in Indang, Cavite was especially successful in imparting civic knowledge, and in enhancing the civic skills and civic disposition of Grade Six pupils.

Further test statistics showed a high positive relationship for the three components of civic competencies examined indicating that the civic educational experiences offered to grade six pupils in school greatly contributed in development of their civic competencies in terms of civic knowledge, civic skills and civic disposition. Thus, civic education was found to contribute positively to Grade Six pupils’ acquisition of civic competencies. Overall, it was concluded that high quality civic educational experiences can have a substantial positive impact on grade six pupils’ development of civic competencies that are conducive to good citizenship. On the basis of the major findings and conclusions of the study, recommendations were proposed to school administrators, teachers, elementary pupils, communities and future researchers to further enhance the civic competencies of grade six pupils through policy, practice and research.