The Civic education project for Grass-Root empowerment and civic engagement in urban setting: Status and Trend

The teaching of civic and ethical education is a central component of education that nurtures citizens to take part in public life, to exercise their rights, and shoulder and discharge responsibilities. In order to produce competent and participatory citizens, civic and ethical education is largely conducted in non-formal adult education settings in addition to the formal way. Unquestionably, non-formal civic education is a vital instrument in creating awareness of constitutional issues, policy matters, and national strategies targeting grass-roots communities. In Ethiopia, until recently, civic and advocacy groups have been working in sensitizing the public on civic and legal issues in urban and rural communities. Nevertheless, the limited actors involved in the non-formal civic education project as well as the size of the target population are factors that drive the search for a reliable candidate. For this, higher learning institutions are candidates to effect non-formal civic education. In Ethiopia, the layouts of universities and colleges in urban areas are convenient to deal with this nascent project. Based on this, the paper point out that through established volunteers clubs, students are able to enforce close-up programs, apply street-law model and other participatory methods. In addition, the government, the private sector and civil societies as stakeholders are required to contribute in making the project feasible and sustainable.