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.
"Following the establishment of the coalition government, we are working hard to develop our detailed policies, including those for education. We have made clear that we intend to review the National Curriculum to return it to its original purpose: delivering education for all and focusing on key subject areas. We will announce further details of our plans in due course."
Abiodun Michael Olatokun, 17, member of Youth Parliament for Birmingham, was one of the young people involved.
"It is increasingly important in an age of growing disaffection with professional politicians that young people, the next generation of voters, are at least made aware of the political context that their lives are set in, and then make the informed decision about whether or not to engage in the democratic process," he said. "This petition represents the right of young people to have that choice."
The petition was launched in September last year on the Prime Minister’s Office website and closed 3 June.
