Global Citizenship Education in Primary Schools: A Strategy for Developing Globally Competitive 21st-Century Learners

Abstract

This study aims to examine and analyze the role of strengthening Global Citizenship Education (GCE) in primary school education as a strategic approach to developing a globally competitive generation in the 21st century. The study employs a literature review method by collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing relevant scholarly publications from both national and international journals. The findings reveal that GCE plays a significant role in equipping students with the cognitive, socio-emotional, and behavioral competencies required to become responsible and active global citizens. The integration of GCE principles into the primary school curriculum, particularly through Indonesia’s Merdeka Curriculum and the Pancasila Student Profile Strengthening Project (P5), contributes to reinforcing students’ national identity while fostering a broader global perspective. However, several challenges remain, including limited teacher competence in implementing GCE, insufficient availability of contextually relevant learning resources, and disparities in educational infrastructure across regions. Therefore, this study recommends enhancing teacher professional development, strengthening GCE-oriented curriculum implementation, and fostering greater collaboration among schools, government institutions, and international stakeholders. These efforts are essential to preparing future generations who are globally competent, socially responsible, and capable of addressing the complex challenges of an increasingly interconnected world.