The appeal, which was set up by UK Youth Parliament members, called for politics lessons for five- to 14-year-olds, with an optional GCSE or standard grade in the subject to be made available to all students.
The 670 signatories agreed with the assertion that the present curriculum has caused "apathy towards politics, which could threaten this country's democracy" and that "better education would lead to a higher voter turnout".
In its response, the government said: "We believe that it is important that schools teach children about the history of our parliamentary democracy and how our system of government has developed.
"As part of their National Curriculum citizenship education, pupils in secondary school are currently taught the key features of parliamentary democracy and government in the constituent parts of the UK, this study includes looking at voting and elections. In addition, at Key Stage 2, schools are encouraged to teach pupils about what democracy is and about the basic institutions that support it locally and nationally.
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