Citizenship in prevocational education: Professional pride as a source

Abstract

The practice of citizenship education has predominantly been studied in general education. This article details an interview study of citizenship education of teachers in prevocational education in the Netherlands. We investigated whether and how vocational teachers reflected on their goals and teaching practices in citizenship education. Teachers did not perceive their teaching to be working on citizenship. However, they aimed at developing professional attitudes in their students, emphasising participation and ‘doing their work well’ in order to become respected and personally responsible workers/employees. In technical education, the development of pride in and shared responsibility for the quality of the students’ craftwork was emphasised. These findings are discussed in relation to Sennett’s views on the development of craftsmanship as citizenship. We see these views as strategic openings for an alternative to the dominant verbal, individualising and adaptation oriented approach of citizenship education.