Monica Tiara, Azwar Ananda, Maria Montessori, Irwan
Background/purpose. Civic Education plays an important role in strengthening and maintaining ethnic identity in an increasingly diverse society. This study explores how civic education serves as a means to preserve cultural values and ethnic identity by fostering an understanding of citizens' rights and responsibilities and promoting an appreciation of diversity. Civic education encourages equality, tolerance, and respect for different cultural identities through an inclusive and pluralistic curriculum, strengthening cultural ties inherited across generations. Materials/methods. This study employs a qualitative method with a case study approach. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis related to the civic education curriculum and practices in schools with ethnically diverse student populations. Participants included teachers, ethnic students, and community leaders involved in cultural education. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify significant patterns in the implementation of civic education and its role in maintaining ethnic identity resilience. Results. The findings indicate that civic education significantly enhances ethnic identity resilience by fostering diversity awareness and tolerance. Ethnic students reported feeling more valued, and their cultural identity was acknowledged, contributing to a stronger sense of pride in their heritage. However, challenges persist, particularly in the integration of local cultural diversity within the curriculum, leading to the marginalization of some ethnic identities. Conclusion. Civic education is essential in reinforcing ethnic identity and promoting inclusivity in diverse societies. To maximize its impact, civic education should adopt a more localized approach that ensures all cultural identities are acknowledged and preserved, thereby strengthening multicultural harmony and identity resilience. © The Author(s), 2025.
Department of Social and Political Sciences, Pancasila and Civic Education Study Program, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universitas Negeri, Padang, Indonesia; Universitas Negeri, Padang, Indonesia
