Civic Education and Anti-Corruption Attitudes Among Colombian Youth: Findings from the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS)

This study examines the relationship between civic knowledge and young people’s attitudes toward corruption in Colombia, using data from the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS). In a country ranked 87th in Transparency International’s global corruption index, understanding how civic education influences youth perceptions is crucial. The study employs a Bayesian multilevel modeling approach on a nationally representative sample to estimate school- and student-level effects while explicitly accounting for parameter uncertainty and complex hierarchical structures. Results indicate that school-based civic activities are initially associated with lower permissiveness toward corruption; however, these school-level effects lose statistical significance once civic knowledge is included in the model. Civic knowledge emerges as the strongest predictor and mediates the relationship between school-based civic learning and attitudes toward corruption. These findings highlight the need for civic education programs that not only engage students but also deepen their understanding of corruption. Recommendations are provided for educational policy and curriculum development to enhance accountability and integrity.