Civic Education and Students' Political Participation in an Indonesian Senior High School: A Sustainable Democracy Perspective

Suyono Suyono (Universitas PGRI Adi Buana Surabaya)
Dwi Retnani Srinarwati (Universitas PGRI Adi Buana Surabaya)
Suhartono Suhartono (Universitas PGRI Adi Buana Surabaya)
Zohaib Hassan Sain (Superior University, 17km Raiwind Rd, Kot Araian, Lahore, Pakistan)
Yew Yun Xin (International Languages Teacher Training Institute, Ministry Of Education, Jalan Pantai Endah, Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan
Vol. 32 No. 1 (2026)

This study examines the role of Civic Education in strengthening students' political participation at SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Taman Sidoarjo, Indonesia, from a sustainable democracy perspective. Using a qualitative descriptive case study design, the research involved 20 informants: two Civic Education teachers and 18 students from Grades X, XI, and XII. Data were collected through classroom observation, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis, then analyzed using data condensation, display, and conclusion drawing. Findings show that Civic Education broadened students' understanding of democracy beyond voting toward deliberation, tolerance, responsibility, fairness, and accountability. Participatory pedagogy encouraged opinion expression, respectful disagreement, digital information verification, and civic responsibility. The study concludes that Civic Education bridges civic knowledge and democratic practice, supporting politically literate and responsible young citizens. Penelitian ini mengkaji peran Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan dalam memperkuat partisipasi politik siswa di SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Taman Sidoarjo, Indonesia, dari perspektif demokrasi berkelanjutan. Dengan desain studi kasus deskriptif kualitatif, penelitian ini melibatkan 20 informan: dua guru Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan dan 18 siswa kelas X, XI, dan XII. Data dikumpulkan melalui observasi kelas, wawancara semi-terstruktur, dan analisis dokumen, lalu dianalisis melalui kondensasi data, penyajian, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan memperluas pemahaman demokrasi siswa dari sekadar pemungutan suara menuju deliberasi, toleransi, tanggung jawab, keadilan, dan akuntabilitas. Pedagogi partisipatif mendorong penyampaian pendapat, perbedaan pendapat secara santun, verifikasi informasi digital, dan tanggung jawab kewargaan. Penelitian menyimpulkan bahwa Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan menjembatani pengetahuan kewargaan dan praktik demokrasi untuk membentuk warga muda yang literat politik dan bertanggung jawab.