Calls for civics education in schools Climate change march in Wellington in May 2019: Young people are best able to learn about civics and citizenship by becoming actively involved in issues that matter to them, according to experts. Photo: RNZ / Ana Tovey. '); } else { // } A civics and citizenship curriculum should be cemented in New Zealand schools because knowledge Kiwi students are entitled to is being left to chance, says a leading academic. It follows the Ministry of Education’s publication last July of a Civics and Citizenship Education Teaching and Learning Guide, as part of the School Leavers’ Toolkit. The guide is optional, which means schools do not have to teach it.