Examining the Concepts of Citizenship Duties and Responsibilities in Elite School Curriculum in Pakistan: An Analysis of Citizenship Education Related Textbooks

Abstract

The duties and responsibilities of citizens in society are controlled by legal and social mechanisms that enable their participation. Duties may also be placed by civil society conventions, which require citizens to assist in running institutions. The extent to which a state can oblige citizens to engage in problem-solving or development reflects the importance of these duties and responsibilities. This study documented and analyzed how duties and responsibilities were addressed in social studies, civics, and/or history textbooks in elite schools, using qualitative content analysis. The findings show only two textbooks explicitly defined “responsible citizenship,” mostly relating to accountability, sustainable development, and respect for laws. However, accountability for injustices has been largely ignored. The textbooks display some individual actions as important for sustainable development but lack coverage of government duties. Respect for laws is recognized as essential for empires, but its importance is lacking in Pakistan’s present-day context. The duties and responsibilities of the government and citizens were absent. These findings can guide researchers in identifying uncovered aspects compared with a comprehensive framework