Going back a couple of blogs, you will find me referring to a kid who had returned to India and used to put away chocolate wrappers in his pocket instead of littering the road. After a few years, the same kid started dropping the wrappers on the road with no feeling of guilt.

While writing the last two blogs on teaching cleanliness to our kids, I could not help wondering at the broader aspect of developing civic sense in them. Checking the secondary board syllabus of the two popular boards of India, I was disturbed to find only a few chapters hidden in Social Science in CBSE and History, Civics, and Geography in ICSE, that too mere narration of the structure of our governance system and our rights and responsibilities. A few quick calls disclosed that most of the time, the history teacher teaches the chapters! This is disheartening because irrespective of the stream the kid takes for higher studies, the child must develop a civic sense.

Civic means city or town and the word sense means being aware. Civic sense is thus an awareness of the norms of our society, like respect for the law and other members of the society, maintaining etiquette while dealing and interacting with others, and discharging our duties as citizens of the country. Only through our responsible behaviour and awareness can the nation achieve collective well-being. By instilling these values early in life, our schools will play a crucial role in grooming responsible citizens who contribute positively to their communities and the nation.

Let me take a few examples here.

One of the basic aspects of civic sense is to respect public infrastructure. Unfortunately, despite the Swachch Bharat campaign, littering, vandalism, and graffiti are common in India. Improving the civic sense lessons in schools can help children get a sense of ownership and responsibility towards public spaces.

India has a high rate of road accidents. Improving road safety is an urgent priority. But how many of us, even those with driving licenses, know the rules? Imparting knowledge about traffic rules, pedestrian safety, and responsible driving practices will teach these values from an early age. Our next generation will learn responsible behaviour on the roads and have respect for fellow commuters. Students who understand road safety regulations become careful drivers and pedestrians, contributing to a safer traffic environment.

While I mentioned that the school boards have a few chapters on the nation's governance structure, I am not sure if they are taught in the spirit in which they were framed. A strong democracy requires active citizen participation. Teaching civic sense in schools empowers students to grow and actively participate in the processes. Initiatives taken in the schools can encourage students to participate in social initiatives, community service, and local governance programs.

Education in developing civic sense should also include nurturing ethical values and social responsibility. Honesty, integrity, empathy, and respect for diversity, thus encouraging inclusivity and tolerance in schools, will lay the foundation for a harmonious society where individuals coexist peacefully.

But the responsibility does not end in school. Parents also have an active role to play here. After all, children primarily follow the example set by their parents.