2nd Term Week 2
Subject : Civic Education
Topic: Meaning and Components of Civic Education
Class: Primary 5 (Basic 5 / Grade 5)
Learning Objectives : By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to :
Explain what civic education is; and
Identify the components of civic education.
Content:
Civic Education is that branch of learning that enables us to understand the activities of government, our rights as citizens, and the duties and responsibilities we owe to ourselves and society.
Government is the group of people that controls the behaviour of people and ensures that lives and property are secure. It is also the duty of the government to provide those things that make life comfortable in society. Such things include good roads, pipe-borne water, electricity, medical facilities, food, etc.
There are basic rights that citizens also enjoy with the assistance of the government. These rights include:
i. right to life
ii. right to property
iii. freedom of religion and conscience
iv. freedom of movement
v. freedom of association, etc.
Citizens in turn are expected to support the government by performing a number of duties and responsibilities. These include:
i. Payment of taxes, rates and fines.
ii. Respect for the constitution.
iii. Respect for national symbols such as the national flag, national anthem, leaders, etc.
iv. Obedience to constituted authorities.
v. Political participation.
vi. Defence of the society against rebellion and external attack, etc.
Components of Civic Education
Civic education had components that cut across all facets of our public life. These include:
(i.) Political component: The political component of Civic Education is concerned with the political riles of citizens in the society.
(ii.) Legal component: The legal component of civic education is an aspect of political component. As citizens, we should know those things that are allowed and those that are not allowed by the law.
(iii.) Social component: We learn that we live with others in the society through Civic Education. It teaches us the importance of taking part in such social activities as naming ceremonies, weddings, chieftaincy, burials, etc. Participation in these activities helps us to show others how much we love and care for them.
(iv.) Economic component: Economic activities are those activities that enable us to produce and distribute goods and services to people in the society. Civic Education helps us to know the role we are expected to play to support the economy of our society. e. g farming, fishing, working in industries, teaching, transport, etc.
(v.) Cultural component: Culture is the way of life of members of a society. It includes the tools we use, artifacts, norms, values, etc. For instance, through civic education, we learn the importance of such cultural activities as festivals, wedding ceremonies, age grade initiation, etc
Evaluations :
1. What is Civic Education?
2. Explain three duties of the government to citizens.
3. Mention any two rights of Nigerian citizens.
4. Mention any two duties of Nigerian citizens.
5. Explain any three components of civic education.