How will a conceptualized GCE curriculum function within Chinese secondary schools?

Area of Science:

• Education
• Curriculum Studies
• Global Studies

Background:

• Global Citizenship Education (GCE) promotes interdependency and social justice.
• Educators require frameworks to translate GCE's ideals into teachable concepts.
• Curriculum innovation is needed to effectively implement GCE in secondary schools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore Chinese educators' perspectives on operationalizing Global Citizenship Education.
• To understand the practical implementation of GCE in secondary school curricula.
• To examine how GCE functions as a curriculum innovation in China.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative case study approach was employed.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 principals and 10 teachers.
• Participants were purposefully sampled from six schools in Jiangsu province.

Main Results:

• A GCE curriculum prototype emerged, influenced by Confucian values and Moral Education.
• Pedagogical approaches aligned with constructivist teaching methods.
• Instructional delivery was designed for authentic learning contexts.

Conclusions:

• Chinese educators are adapting GCE by integrating it with existing cultural and educational frameworks.
• The study highlights a practical model for implementing GCE in a Chinese context.
• This approach aims to prepare students for local and global challenges through social justice and sustainability education.