Education aims to bring about positive changes in our behavior. It helps us try to change our lives as well as the society we live in. Education that does not illuminate our minds or does not inspire us to work for the community is not complete at all. Education is not all about getting grades or receiving certificates-we use education to make life better. We are expected to apply the knowledge, skills and values that we learn in a classroom in our engagement with the world that lies outside. And we can do so in many different ways. Let’s have a look at how education works.

Learners’ civic engagement is highly appreciated all over the world. Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life (the public life of the citizens as contrasted with private or personal life) of the community using knowledge, skills, values and motivation. Civic engagement promotes the quality of life in a community by contributing to the improvement of health and wellbeing of the people.

Civically engaged individuals recognize themselves as members of a larger social community and are concerned about civic issues. They consider themselves responsible citizens who take action or raise their voices against injustice, discrimination and other forms of social ills.

In civic engagement, issues of public concern are crucial. Civic engagement includes individual or group activities to protect public interests and change the way the community values itself. For example, if you are protesting against any unjust decision of the local municipality such as raising taxes or an act that might work against people’s interests, you are civically engaged and your action is considered a civic engagernent. This protest can be done in different ways such as organizing rallies, collecting signatures, making human chains, writing petitions. etc. You can also help control traffic in front of a school, help children to cross the roads, work in a team to clean a park or a sea beach. You can also give some services to elderly people. These are all examples of civic engagement as what you do directly affects the community.

When civic engagement is a part of an academic programme, and the learners’ engagement is assessed following a scale, then it is called service learning. It involves the application of knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and then making a complete plan of action i.e. preparing a budget, starting the process of implementation, involving people and activating operational strategies. When civic engagement is spontaneous but irregular and not a part of any academic programme, it is considered volunteerism.

শিক্ষার লক্ষ্য হলো আমাদের আচরণে ইতিবাচক পরিবর্তন আনা। এটি আমাদের নিজের জীবন এবং আমরা যে সমাজে বাস করি তাকে পরিবর্তন করার চেষ্টা করতে সাহায্য করে। যে শিক্ষা আমাদের মনকে আলোকিত করে না বা সমাজের জন্য কাজ করতে অনুপ্রাণিত করে না, তা একেবারেই সম্পূর্ণ নয়। শিক্ষা কেবল গ্রেড পাওয়া বা সার্টিফিকেট অর্জনের বিষয় নয় — আমরা জীবনকে উন্নত করতে শিক্ষাকে কাজে লাগাই। আমরা শ্রেণিকক্ষে অর্জিত জ্ঞান, দক্ষতা ও মূল্যবোধগুলো বাইরের বিশ্বের সাথে সংযোগে প্রয়োগ করব — এটাই কাম্য। এবং আমরা এটি বিভিন্নভাবে করতে পারি। আসুন দেখি শিক্ষা কীভাবে কাজ করে।

শিক্ষার্থীদের নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততা সারা বিশ্বে অত্যন্ত সমাদৃত। নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততা বলতে বোঝায় জ্ঞান, দক্ষতা, মূল্যবোধ ও অনুপ্রেরণা কাজে লাগিয়ে সম্প্রদায়ের নাগরিক জীবনে (ব্যক্তিগত জীবনের বিপরীতে নাগরিকদের সর্বজনীন জীবন) পরিবর্তন আনার জন্য কাজ করা। নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততা মানুষের স্বাস্থ্য ও সুস্থতার উন্নতিতে অবদান রাখার মাধ্যমে একটি সম্প্রদায়ের জীবনযাত্রার মানকে এগিয়ে নিয়ে যায়।

নাগরিকভাবে সক্রিয় ব্যক্তিরা নিজেদের একটি বৃহত্তর সামাজিক সম্প্রদায়ের সদস্য হিসেবে চিনতে পারেন এবং নাগরিক বিষয়াবলী নিয়ে চিন্তিত হন। তারা নিজেদকে দায়িত্বশীল নাগরিক হিসেবে মনে করেন যারা অন্যায়, বৈষম্য ও অন্যান্য সামাজিক ব্যাধির বিরুদ্ধে পদক্ষেপ নেন বা কণ্ঠস্বর তুলেন।

নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততায়, জনসাধারণের উদ্বেগের বিষয়গুলো অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ। নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততায় ব্যক্তিগত বা দলগত এমন সব কার্যক্রম অন্তর্ভুক্ত থাকে যা জনস্বার্থ রক্ষা করে এবং সম্প্রদায় যেভাবে নিজের মূল্যবোধকে দেখে তাকে পরিবর্তন করে। উদাহরণস্বরূপ, যদি আপনি স্থানীয় পৌরসভার কোনো অন্যায় সিদ্ধান্ত, যেমন কর বৃদ্ধি বা এমন কোনো কাজ যা জনস্বার্থের বিরুদ্ধে যেতে পারে, তার বিরুদ্ধে প্রতিবাদ করেন, তাহলে আপনি নাগরিকভাবে সক্রিয় এবং আপনার এই কাজটিকেই নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততা হিসেবে বিবেচনা করা হয়। এই প্রতিবাদ বিভিন্নভাবে করা যেতে পারে — যেমন সমাবেশের আয়োজন করা, স্বাক্ষর সংগ্রহ করা, মানববন্ধন করা, দরখাস্ত লেখা ইত্যাদি। আপনি একটি স্কুলের সামনে যানজট নিয়ন্ত্রণে সাহায্য করতে পারেন, শিশুদের রাস্তা পারাপারে সহায়তা করতে পারেন, একটি পার্ক বা সমুদ্র সৈকত পরিষ্কার করতে দলগতভাবে কাজ করতে পারেন। আপনি বয়োজ্যেষ্ঠ মানুষদের কিছু সেবাও দিতে পারেন। এগুলো সবই নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততার উদাহরণ, কারণ আপনি যা করেন তা সরাসরি সম্প্রদায়কে প্রভাবিত করে।

যখন নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততা কোনো একাডেমিক প্রোগ্রামের অংশ হয় এবং শিক্ষার্থীদের সম্পৃক্ততা একটি মানদণ্ড অনুসরণ করে মূল্যায়ন করা হয়, তখন তাকে সার্ভিস লার্নিং বা সেবামূলক শিক্ষা বলা হয়। এতে শ্রেণিকক্ষে শেখা জ্ঞান ও দক্ষতার প্রয়োগ এবং তারপর একটি সম্পূর্ণ কর্মপরিকল্পনা প্রণয়ন — যেমন বাজেট প্রস্তুত করা, বাস্তবায়নের প্রক্রিয়া শুরু করা, মানুষকে সম্পৃক্ত করা এবং কার্যক্রম কৌশল সক্রিয় করা — জড়িত থাকে। অন্যদিকে, যখন নাগরিক সম্পৃক্ততা স্বতঃস্ফূর্ত কিন্তু অনিয়মিত হয় এবং কোনো একাডেমিক প্রোগ্রামের অংশ না হয়, তখন তাকে স্বেচ্ছাসেবকতা হিসাবে বিবেচনা করা হয়।

Vocabulary Box: Education and Civic Engagement

MCQs on Education and Civic Engagement

1. Education aims to bring about positive changes in our _____.
   a) Wealth
   b) Behavior
   c) Environment
   d) Technology
2. Education helps us to change our lives as well as _____.
   a) Our family
   b) The society we live in
   c) Our workplace
   d) Our friends
3. Education that does not inspire us to work for the community is _____.
   a) Complete
   b) Useless
   c) Not complete
   d) Perfect
4. Education is not only about getting _____.
   a) Certificates
   b) Grades
   c) Jobs
   d) Money
5. The ultimate purpose of education is to make _____.
   a) Society poorer
   b) Life better
   c) Exams easier
   d) Work harder
6. We are expected to apply classroom knowledge in _____.
   a) Exams only
   b) Social media
   c) The outside world
   d) Libraries
7. Civic engagement means working to make a difference in _____.
   a) Private life
   b) Civic life
   c) School life
   d) Religious life
8. Civic life refers to _____.
   a) Family matters
   b) Personal activities
   c) Public life of citizens
   d) Entertainment
9. Civic engagement promotes _____.
   a) Wealth of individuals
   b) Quality of life in a community
   c) Grades in exams
   d) Political power
10. Civically engaged individuals see themselves as members of _____.
    a) Their own families only
    b) A larger social community
    c) Their workplaces
    d) Online groups
11. Civically engaged people are concerned about _____.
    a) Fashion trends
    b) Civic issues
    c) Sports results
    d) Private life
12. Responsible citizens take action against _____.
    a) Entertainment
    b) Sports
    c) Injustice and discrimination
    d) Festivals
13. Civic engagement activities aim to protect _____.
    a) Private business
    b) Public interests
    c) Personal hobbies
    d) Religious faith
14. Raising voices against discrimination is an act of _____.
    a) Civic engagement
    b) Entertainment
    c) Family duty
    d) Personal business
15. Civic engagement includes both _____.
    a) Individual and group activities
    b) Fun and games
    c) Politics and economics
    d) Reading and writing
16. Protesting against unjust tax decisions is an example of _____.
    a) Volunteerism
    b) Civic engagement
    c) Service learning
    d) Political campaign
17. Rallies, petitions, and human chains are forms of _____.
    a) Social entertainment
    b) Civic engagement
    c) Private activities
    d) School projects
18. Helping children cross roads is an act of _____.
    a) Social isolation
    b) Civic engagement
    c) Family responsibility
    d) Private interest
19. Cleaning a park with a team shows _____.
    a) Civic engagement
    b) Academic learning
    c) Religious activity
    d) Cultural festival
20. Giving services to elderly people is considered _____.
    a) Family tradition
    b) Civic engagement
    c) Political activity
    d) Social entertainment
21. When civic engagement is a part of academic programmes, it is called _____.
    a) Volunteerism
    b) Service learning
    c) Social service
    d) Public action
22. Service learning involves _____.
    a) Playing games
    b) Applying classroom knowledge and skills
    c) Family gatherings
    d) Cultural activities
23. Preparing a budget for a social project is part of _____.
    a) Service learning
    b) Volunteerism
    c) Entertainment
    d) Religion
24. Implementing an action plan in service learning involves _____.
    a) Doing nothing
    b) Involving people
    c) Avoiding society
    d) Forgetting responsibility
25. Volunteerism is spontaneous but _____.
    a) Regular
    b) Irregular
    c) Academic
    d) Professional
26. Volunteerism is not part of any _____.
    a) Social work
    b) Academic programme
    c) Civic responsibility
    d) Entertainment
27. Collecting signatures to protest is an example of _____.
    a) Private action
    b) Civic engagement
    c) Academic exercise
    d) Entertainment
28. Civic engagement directly affects _____.
    a) Private life only
    b) Community life
    c) Family life
    d) Political parties
29. Education that only gives certificates is _____.
    a) Complete
    b) Incomplete
    c) Perfect
    d) Useful
30. Civic engagement helps improve people’s _____.
    a) Wealth and property
    b) Health and wellbeing
    c) Personal hobbies
    d) Family traditions
31. Education is expected to inspire us to work for _____.
    a) Ourselves only
    b) The community
    c) Money
    d) Fame
32. Civic engagement means using _____.
    a) Skills and motivation
    b) Gossip and rumours
    c) Sports and games
    d) Personal hobbies
33. Civic engagement is crucial for solving issues of _____.
    a) Private concerns
    b) Public concern
    c) Family life
    d) Education only
34. Writing a petition is an example of _____.
    a) Political power
    b) Civic engagement
    c) School learning
    d) Entertainment
35. Helping control traffic in front of a school is an act of _____.
    a) Civic engagement
    b) Sports activity
    c) Academic work
    d) Personal life
36. Civic engagement is appreciated _____.
    a) Only in schools
    b) All over the world
    c) Only in Bangladesh
    d) Only by teachers
37. Education should illuminate our _____.
    a) Roads
    b) Houses
    c) Minds
    d) Buildings
38. People who fight against social ills are _____.
    a) Passive
    b) Responsible citizens
    c) Careless
    d) Ignorant
39. Volunteerism is often _____.
    a) Irregular
    b) Compulsory
    c) Academic
    d) Paid
40. Civic engagement is about making a difference in _____.
    a) Exams
    b) Civic life
    c) Private matters
    d) Family issues
41. Education without community engagement is _____.
    a) Incomplete
    b) Complete
    c) Perfect
    d) Modern
42. Civic engagement raises voices against _____.
    a) Music and art
    b) Sports and games
    c) Injustice and discrimination
    d) Entertainment
43. The process of service learning includes _____.
    a) Preparing budgets and strategies
    b) Playing football
    c) Watching movies
    d) Reading novels
44. Civic engagement improves the _____.
    a) Quality of life in a community
    b) Exams of students
    c) Entertainment of people
    d) Wealth of leaders
45. Writing petitions and making rallies are examples of _____.
    a) Private interests
    b) Public actions
    c) Religious activities
    d) Family duties
46. Civic engagement activities may include _____.
    a) Cleaning beaches
    b) Sleeping at home
    c) Watching TV
    d) Playing games
47. Elderly people can be supported through _____.
    a) Civic engagement
    b) Sports
    c) Family entertainment
    d) Political campaigns
48. Service learning activates _____.
    a) Operational strategies
    b) Private gossip
    c) Family traditions
    d) Cultural events
49. Volunteerism is considered _____.
    a) Spontaneous activity
    b) Academic programme
    c) Political duty
    d) Paid job
50. Civic engagement and service learning both aim to improve _____.
    a) Family entertainment
    b) Community wellbeing
    c) Private hobbies
    d) Religious faith

Answer:

1. b
2. b
3. c
4. a
5. b
6. c
7. b
8. c
9. b
10. b
11. b
12. c
13. b
14. a
15. a
16. b
17. b
18. b
19. a
20. b
21. b
22. b
23. a
24. b
25. b
26. b
27. b
28. b
29. b
30. b
31. b
32. a
33. b
34. b
35. a
36. b
37. c
38. b
39. a
40. b
41. a
42. c
43. a
44. a
45. b
46. a
47. a
48. a
49. a
50. b

WH Questions

1. What is the main aim of education?
2. How does education help us change our society?
3. What kind of education is not considered complete?
4. Why is education not only about getting grades or certificates?
5. How are we expected to apply classroom knowledge?
6. What does civic engagement mean?
7. In which life does civic engagement make a difference?
8. How does civic engagement promote the quality of life in a community?
9. Who recognize themselves as members of a larger social community?
10. What kinds of issues are civically engaged people concerned about?
11. What do responsible citizens raise their voices against?
12. What kinds of activities does civic engagement include?
13. Why is protesting against unjust tax decisions a civic engagement?
14. In what ways can people protest against injustice?
15. What are some examples of organizing public protests?
16. How can you help children in civic engagement?
17. Why is helping control traffic near a school considered civic engagement?
18. What can a team do to clean public spaces?
19. How can people provide services to elderly citizens?
20. Why are these activities called civic engagement?
21. What is service learning?
22. When does civic engagement become service learning?
23. What does service learning involve?
24. Why is preparing a budget important in service learning?
25. What does the process of implementation in service learning include?
26. How are people involved in service learning projects?
27. What kind of strategies are activated in service learning?
28. What is volunteerism?
29. How is volunteerism different from service learning?
30. When is civic engagement considered volunteerism?
31. Why is volunteerism called spontaneous?
32. What makes volunteerism irregular?
33. What is an example of civic engagement in traffic control?
34. How does writing petitions affect the community?
35. What can rallies and human chains achieve?
36. Why is civic engagement highly appreciated worldwide?
37. What should education illuminate in our minds?
38. Who are considered responsible citizens in society?
39. How does civic engagement improve public wellbeing?
40. What kinds of public interests are protected through civic engagement?
41. Why is fighting against discrimination important for citizens?
42. What role do students play in service learning?
43. How does civic engagement apply classroom learning?
44. In what way does civic engagement connect individuals with their community?
45. What are some social ills that citizens should act against?
46. How does education inspire community work?
47. What services can be given to the elderly through civic engagement?
48. What is the difference between civic engagement and private activities?
49. How can community members change the way the community values itself?
50. Why is civic engagement necessary for improving society?

Answers of WH questions

1. The main aim of education is to bring positive changes in human behavior. It helps people improve their own lives and the society they live in.
2. Education helps us gain knowledge, skills, and values that we can apply in real life. By using them, we can work to make our community better.
3. Education that does not inspire people to think or serve the community is incomplete. True education should enlighten minds and motivate good actions.
4. Education is more than grades and certificates. It is meant to prepare us for life beyond classrooms.
5. We are expected to apply classroom lessons in daily life. This makes learning meaningful and practical.
6. Civic engagement means working to improve the civic life of a community. It involves knowledge, skills, values, and motivation.
7. Civic life refers to the public life of citizens. It is different from personal or private life.
8. Civic engagement improves the quality of life in society. It contributes to health, safety, and wellbeing.
9. Civically engaged people see themselves as part of a larger social group. They think of society’s welfare, not just their own.
10. They are concerned about civic issues that affect communities. These include injustice, inequality, and discrimination.
11. Responsible citizens raise their voices against wrong practices. They fight against injustice and social evils.
12. Civic engagement includes both individual and group activities. All of these aim to protect public interests.
13. Protesting against unfair taxes is civic engagement. It ensures decisions serve the people, not harm them.
14. People can protest by rallies, petitions, or human chains. These actions show unity and strength.
15. Collecting signatures or writing petitions are also protests. They bring attention to unfair issues.
16. Helping children cross roads is a form of civic duty. It makes roads safer for everyone.
17. Controlling traffic in front of schools is civic engagement. It protects students and prevents accidents.
18. A team can clean parks or beaches. This improves the environment for the whole community.
19. Citizens can provide services to elderly people. It gives them comfort and care.
20. These actions directly affect the community. That is why they are called civic engagement.
21. Service learning is civic engagement linked with education. It is planned, structured, and evaluated.
22. It becomes service learning when students’ community work is assessed as part of study. This makes academic learning more practical.
23. Service learning involves applying classroom skills in real life. It combines study with social responsibility.
24. Preparing a budget is important for service learning. It helps plan and manage resources.
25. Implementation in service learning means carrying out action plans. It includes applying strategies step by step.
26. People are involved in service learning projects through teamwork. Their active participation makes the work successful.
27. Operational strategies are used in service learning. They ensure smooth execution of projects.
28. Volunteerism is a form of civic engagement. It is usually spontaneous and irregular.
29. Volunteerism differs from service learning. It is not part of any academic programme.
30. Civic engagement is considered volunteerism when it is done freely. It is not tied to formal study.
31. Volunteerism is called spontaneous because it is not planned in advance. People decide to act out of goodwill.
32. It is irregular because it happens from time to time. There is no fixed schedule.
33. Helping control traffic near a school is civic engagement. It keeps children safe while crossing.
34. Writing petitions can change public decisions. It gives citizens a voice.
35. Rallies and human chains draw attention to issues. They pressure leaders to act fairly.
36. Civic engagement is valued worldwide. It shows responsibility and unity.
37. Education should enlighten our minds. It must guide us toward positive actions.
38. Responsible citizens are those who fight against social problems. They stand up for justice.
39. Civic engagement improves public health and wellbeing. It creates a safer and healthier community.
40. It protects public interests such as safety, justice, and equality. These are essential for community life.
41. Fighting discrimination ensures fairness in society. It gives everyone equal opportunities.
42. Students play a key role in service learning. They apply knowledge in real projects.
43. Civic engagement applies classroom lessons to real problems. It connects study with action.
44. It links individuals with their community. This builds a sense of responsibility.
45. Citizens should act against social ills like injustice or corruption. Their efforts improve community life.
46. Education inspires people to work for others. It motivates them to serve society.
47. Services to the elderly may include care, guidance, or help. These acts improve their quality of life.
48. Civic engagement is different from private activities. It focuses on public good, not personal benefit.
49. Community members can change values by working together. Their actions influence attitudes and behavior.
50. Civic engagement is necessary for social progress. It builds stronger and healthier communities.