WAEC SSCE - Civic Education - 2020 (Essay)

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(a) Meaning of human rights

Human rights are the basic rights and freedoms that belong to every human being from birth, irrespective of race, sex, religion, tribe or social status. They cannot be taken away arbitrarily and include the right to life, dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of expression and freedom of movement.

(b) Six ways the Nigerian government facilitates adherence to the UDHR

1. Entrenching human rights in the constitution: Chapter Four of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of citizens.
2. Establishing the National Human Rights Commission: This body investigates and addresses cases of human rights abuse.
3. Providing an independent judiciary: The courts protect citizens' rights and give redress to those whose rights are violated.
4. Signing and ratifying international human rights treaties: Nigeria domesticates conventions such as the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights.
5. Public enlightenment and civic education: Government educates citizens on their rights and how to protect them.
6. Enacting laws and providing legal aid: Government makes laws against abuses and provides legal aid so that the poor can seek justice.

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Five ways by which political parties promote popular participation

1. Mobilising and educating voters: Parties enlighten citizens on political issues and encourage them to register and vote during elections.
2. Recruiting members and candidates: Parties give people the opportunity to join, hold party offices and contest for elective positions, thereby drawing citizens into political activity.
3. Organising campaigns and rallies: Through campaigns, rallies and manifestos, parties create platforms where citizens express their views and engage in political debate.
4. Providing political education and awareness: Parties inform citizens about their rights, duties and the workings of government, thereby raising political consciousness.
5. Serving as a link between the people and government: Parties channel the demands, complaints and aspirations of citizens to government and offer alternative policies, encouraging active involvement in governance.

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The stem appears garbled, but its clear intent is to ask for the importance of responsible parenthood to national development. This is answered below.

Five importance of responsible parenthood to national development

1. Production of well-behaved citizens: Responsible parents raise disciplined and morally upright children who become law-abiding and useful citizens of the nation.
2. Reduction of crime and social vices: Proper upbringing and guidance keep children away from cultism, drug abuse and crime, thereby promoting peace and security.
3. Provision of quality manpower: Responsible parents educate and train their children, producing skilled and productive human resources for national development.
4. Population control: Responsible parents give birth only to the number of children they can adequately cater for, helping to check overpopulation and its problems.
5. Promotion of good values and stable society: Children brought up with sound moral values grow to build strong families and a stable, progressive nation.

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Five factors that aid cultism in the school system

1. Peer group influence: Students are lured into cults by friends and classmates who pressure them to join in order to belong and be accepted.
2. Weak school administration and poor discipline: Where school authorities fail to enforce rules, punish offenders or provide adequate security, cult groups thrive without fear.
3. Desire for protection, power and recognition: Some students join cults believing membership will protect them from rivals and give them fear-inspiring power and status on campus.
4. Poor parental care and bad home background: Broken homes, lack of moral training and neglect by parents push students to seek belonging and attention in cult groups.
5. Search for wealth and undue advantage: Some students are drawn by the promise of money, examination favours, and the ability to intimidate others in order to gain material benefits.
6. Erosion of moral and religious values: The decline of discipline, respect and sound moral upbringing in society makes students more willing to embrace violent and anti-social groups.

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Five factors that have contributed to the persistence of human trafficking in Nigeria

1. Widespread poverty: Poor families and jobless youths are easily deceived by traffickers who promise better jobs, education and living conditions abroad or in the cities.
2. High rate of unemployment: The scarcity of jobs makes many people, especially the youth, willing to accept risky offers that end in trafficking.
3. Ignorance and illiteracy: Lack of awareness about the tricks and dangers of trafficking makes victims fall easily for false promises.
4. Greed and love for quick wealth: The desire to get rich quickly, both by victims and by their families, drives people into the hands of traffickers.
5. Weak enforcement of laws and corruption: Poor policing of borders, corruption among some officials, and delays in prosecuting offenders allow traffickers to operate without adequate punishment.
6. Breakdown of family values and peer influence: Broken homes, poor upbringing and pressure from friends who have travelled abroad encourage more people to embark on the dangerous journey.

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(a) Five functions of the public service

1. Implementation of government policies: The public service carries out and executes the programmes and decisions of the government.
2. Advising the government: Career officers provide expert advice and information that guide political office holders in making sound decisions.
3. Provision of essential services: It delivers public services such as health, education, water, and the maintenance of infrastructure to citizens.
4. Maintenance of continuity in government: Because officers are permanent, the public service ensures that administration continues smoothly even when governments change.
5. Collection of revenue and management of public funds: It assesses and collects taxes and other revenue and manages public resources on behalf of government.

(b) Five problems of the public service

1. Corruption and bribery: Embezzlement, fraud and demand for bribes reduce efficiency and waste public funds.
2. Excessive bureaucracy and red tape: Too many rules and long procedures cause delay in getting things done.
3. Political interference: Undue influence by politicians affects appointments, promotions and neutrality of the service.
4. Inadequate funding and poor facilities: Shortage of funds, tools and modern equipment hampers effective performance.
5. Poor motivation and low staff morale: Poor pay, delayed promotion and poor conditions of service discourage hard work and lead to low productivity.

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Five ways through which youths can be empowered

1. Provision of quality education: Youths should be given access to good formal education and civic training that equip them with knowledge and sound values.
2. Vocational and skills acquisition training: Teaching youths trades and skills such as tailoring, carpentry, ICT, catering and mechanics makes them self-reliant and employable.
3. Provision of loans and financial support: Government, banks and organisations should grant soft loans, grants and start-up capital to enable youths establish and run their own businesses.
4. Creation of job opportunities: Government and the private sector should create employment and encourage entrepreneurship so that youths are gainfully engaged.
5. Mentorship, guidance and leadership training: Youths should be mentored, counselled and given opportunities to participate in leadership and decision-making so as to build their confidence and capacity.

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(a) Definition of constitution

A constitution is the body of fundamental rules, laws and principles, whether written or unwritten, according to which a state or country is governed. It defines the powers and functions of the organs of government, the relationship between the government and the people, and the rights and duties of citizens.

(b) Six factors taken into consideration when drafting the Nigerian constitution

1. The federal character of the country: Nigeria's diverse ethnic groups, states and regions must be fairly represented and balanced.
2. Multi-ethnic and cultural diversity: The many languages, cultures and traditions of the different peoples are considered to promote unity.
3. Religious diversity: The presence of Christianity, Islam and traditional religions requires provisions that guarantee freedom of religion and prevent domination.
4. Fundamental human rights: The rights and freedoms of citizens must be clearly stated and protected.
5. The system and structure of government: Decisions on federalism, separation of powers and the sharing of functions among the tiers of government are taken into account.
6. Historical and political experiences: The nation's past experiences, including colonial rule, previous constitutions and the need for stability, guide the drafting process.

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(a) Definition of citizenship education

Citizenship education is the aspect of education that teaches citizens their rights, duties, privileges and obligations, and equips them with the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed to become responsible, patriotic and law-abiding members of society.

(b) Six ways citizenship education has positively impacted the Nigerian society

1. Awareness of rights and duties: It has enlightened citizens on their fundamental human rights and civic responsibilities.
2. Promotion of good values: It has instilled values such as honesty, discipline, tolerance and hard work in citizens.
3. Encouragement of political participation: It has encouraged citizens to vote and take part in the political process, reducing political apathy.
4. Promotion of national unity: It fosters peaceful coexistence and unity among the different ethnic and religious groups.
5. Reduction of crime and social vices: By teaching good morals, it has helped to discourage crime, cultism and corruption.
6. Development of patriotism and law-abiding citizens: It has produced citizens who love their country and obey the laws of the land.