EDUCATION TO COMBAT POLITICAL ILLITERACY IN ANGOLA

Abstract

The quality of democracy is directly linked to the level of political awareness of its citizens - and this awareness does not arise by chance, but is built through education. This article analyzes the role of education in combating political illiteracy as a strategy for defense and consolidation in Angola. It starts from the observation that many citizens face difficulties in understanding political processes, which limits their conscious participation in public life and weakens democratic functioning. Therefore, this study seeks to reflect on this. From a methodological point of view, this research has a qualitative approach. Regarding its nature, it is basic. In terms of genre, it is a theoretical study based on secondary theoretical and documentary sources. Concerning its type, it is an exploratory research whose main data collection technique was based on bibliographic review. Regarding data analysis techniques, content analysis was employed, allowing the identification of interconnections between education, political awareness, and democracy. The results indicate that political illiteracy, more than an individual limitation, constitutes a structural phenomenon associated with historical, social, and educational factors that contribute to the weakening of citizen participation and the maintenance of undemocratic political practices. It is concluded that political education, when incorporated critically and systematically, represents an essential element for strengthening citizenship and consolidating a more participatory and effective democracy.