Schoolchildren's national identity within the framework of multicultural education: specifics of social construction

Introduction. The article studies formation of schoolchildren’s national identity in the context of multicultural education. The purpose of the research is to identify and describe the characteristic features of social construction of schoolchildren’s national identity within different age groups in the context of multicultural education. Materials and Methods. The theoretical basis of the study is H. Tajfel’s social identity theory, which considers social identity as a part of individual’s self-concept. The authors applied projective methods for the following age groups: early adolescents, middle adolescents and older adolescents (4th, 8th and 10th grades). The sample consisted of 360 schoolchildren. Results. Value orientations are presented as a factor of social construction of schoolchildren’s national identity in the learning process. The empirical research revealed that within the framework of multicultural learning environment the emphasis is made on knowledge. On the other hand, less attention is paid to schoolchildren’s meaningful experiences and practical components of their value orientations. The schoolchildren seek to understand their own life and their role in it. In the process of developing civil society, it is important for individuals to live, experience and realize their belonging to the community of citizens of a certain state on a general cultural basis. The process of social construction of national identity should be conducted both in the classroom and in the school as a whole, to be included in the life of students. Conclusions. The authors conclude about the characteristic features of social construction of schoolchildren’s national identity within the framework of multicultural education.