JSS3 Second Term Civic Education Scheme of Work and Lesson Notes – Complete Guide for Nigerian Students

JSS3 Civic Education second term notes covering elections, INEC, SIEC, electoral malpractices, and democratic processes with practice questions.

JSS3 Second Term Civic Education Scheme of Work and Lesson Notes

Introduction

Subject: Civic Education
Class: JSS 3 (Junior Secondary School 3)
Term: Second Term
Reference Text: Fundamentals of Civic Education For Basic 9, JSS 3 by Sola Akinyemi

This comprehensive guide provides complete lesson notes, evaluation questions, weekend assignments, and activities for JSS3 students studying Civic Education in Nigerian secondary schools.

Scheme of Work Overview

Weekly Breakdown

Week 1: Elections

• Meaning of Elections
• Types of Elections

Week 2: Importance of Election in Democratic Society

Week 3: Electoral Bodies in Nigeria

• INEC (Independent National Electoral Commission)
• SIEC (State Independent Electoral Commission)
• Uses, Composition and Roles

Week 4: Free and Fair Elections

• Meaning
• Importance/Need for Free and Fair Elections

Week 5: Electoral Malpractices in Nigeria

• Meaning of Electoral Malpractices
• Forms of Electoral Malpractices
• Causes of Electoral Malpractices

Week 6: Ways of Preventing Electoral Malpractices in Nigeria

Week 7: Democratic Process

• Voting
• Voters Registration
• Process of Voting
• Importance of Voting

Week 8: Revision

Week 9: Examination

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Week One: Elections – Meaning and Types

Topic: Elections

Meaning of Elections

Election can be defined as an act or process of voting for a candidate to represent the people of a country in various government positions. It is also defined as a process of choosing our political leaders.

Examples of political office holders or leaders include:

• President
• Governors
• Members of the Houses of Senate and Representatives
• Chairman and Councillors of Local Government Areas

Election is a procedure that allows citizens of a country to choose their leaders or representatives.

Types of Elections

There are five main types of elections:

1. Direct Election
2. Indirect Election
3. By-Election
4. Run-off Election
5. Primary Election

1. Direct Elections

Direct Elections involve the electorates (voters) casting their votes directly in an election for candidates of their choice that will represent them in various government positions.

2. Indirect Elections

This system involves the formation of an electoral college by the legislators. The members of the Electoral College will vote for the candidates of their choice on behalf of the citizens of the country. The Americans elect the president through Electoral College.

3. By-Elections

This is an election that takes place to fill a vacant elective post as a result of disqualification, death or resignation of the individual holding a public office. The election takes place in that constituency where there has been a vacancy.

4. Run-off Elections

When none of the candidates wins the election by absolute majority in a general election, another election would be conducted. In this final election, only the candidates with the highest votes are allowed to contest.

5. Primary Election

This involves the political parties presenting candidates for any election in a country. It is an election conducted within a political party to choose candidates that can adequately represent the interests of the party in an election.

Evaluation Questions (Week 1)

1. List and explain the various types of elections.
2. Define elections.
3. Mention three political office holders.

General Evaluation/Revision Questions

1. Define constitution.
2. Differentiate between written and unwritten constitutions.
3. Differentiate between rigid and flexible constitution.
4. Give three importance of constitution.
5. Explain federal and unitary constitutions.

Class Activity

Answer the following multiple choice questions:

1. All these are attributes of a courageous person EXCEPT: A. boldness B. firmness C. laziness D. commitment
2. One of these is the last hope of the common man: A. The Executive B. The Judiciary C. The Press D. The Police
3. The Federal Executive Council in Nigeria is headed by the: A. Head of the service of the federation B. President of the federation C. Secretary to the government D. Senate President
4. ________ is an election in which the voters directly vote for their candidates: A. Primary election B. Bye-election C. Direct Election D. General election
5. Where did democracy originate from? A. America B. Nigeria C. Greece D. Asia
6. A body of ideas and rules that regulate the conduct of people is: A. norms B. values C. laws D. trust
7. One of the steps for the protection of human rights is: A. good military government B. independence of the judiciary C. clamp down on the press D. none of the above
8. Which of these is NOT an attribute of contentment? A. Satisfaction B. Discipline C. Envy D. Honesty
9. ________ is the bedrock of democracy? A. Children B. People C. The Police D. Army
10. The primary function of the executive is to: A. interpret law B. make law C. punish law breakers D. implement government policies

Reading Assignment

Fundamentals of Civic Education Book 3 by Sola Akinyemi, Pages 38-40.

Weekend Assignment (Week 1)

1. Election conducted within a political party to choose candidates that will represent the interests of the party in a general election is called: A. Primary election B. by-election C. run-off election D. direct election
2. Election conducted to fill a vacant elective post as a result of death or resignation of the individual holding a public office is called: A. Primary election B. run-off election C. direct election D. by-election
3. All the following are political office holders in Nigeria except: A. President B. Banker C. Governor D. Senator
4. How many geo-political zones do we have in Nigeria? A. five B. ten C. six D. four
5. Which geo-political zone in Nigeria has the least number of states? A. South West B. South-East C. South-South D. North-East

Theory Questions (Week 1)

1. Define election.
2. Mention five types of elections.

Week Two: Importance of Elections in a Democratic Society

Topic: Importance of Elections in a Democratic Society

Elections take place in every democratic society. Without elections, democratic society cannot succeed.

The Importance of Elections

1. Choice of Leaders: Elections give the people in a country the opportunity for choosing their leaders into different political offices such as president, governors, legislators etc.
2. Easy and Peaceful Change of Government: Elections provide an opportunity for the masses to peacefully remove bad government from office and ensure peaceful change of government to another.
3. Promotes Democracy: Election is one of the pillars of democracy. Regular free and fair elections help in sustaining democracy in any country.
4. Provides Opportunity for Political Education: Election provides opportunity for political parties to give political education to the people of a country. It is usually done through campaigns and rallies where political parties make their manifestos known to the people.
5. Provides Opportunity for Participation in Government: Election gives the citizens of a country the opportunity of participating in government by casting votes for the candidates of their choice.
6. Measures Government Popularity: Elections act as basis for measuring the popularity of the government in power.

Evaluation Questions (Week 2)

Give five importance of elections in a democratic society.

General Evaluation/Revision Questions

1. Identify the features of the Clifford Constitution of 1922.
2. What are the advantages of the Clifford Constitution of 1922?
3. What are the disadvantages of the Clifford Constitution of 1922?
4. How many members were in the executive Council of 1922 Clifford Constitution?
5. In what year was Nigeria National Democratic Party formed?

Class Activity

1. All the following can contest for elections in Nigeria except: A. an adult B. a sane person C. an ex-convict D. a teacher
2. All these are voter’s right except: A. right to vote in privacy B. right to vote if registered C. right to ask questions on election process or procedure D. right to vote even if not registered
3. Illiteracy can lead to the following except: A. basic rights violation B. cheating C. tolerance D. injustice
4. The following are fundamental human rights except freedom of: A. personal liberty B. speech C. worship D. manipulation
5. The causes of electoral malpractice include the following except: A. conducive environment B. desperation C. high level of corruption D. weak electoral body
6. Franchise stands for the right to: A. contest for political post B. live in Nigeria C. join an association D. vote and be voted for
7. For Nigeria to have a free and fair election, all forms of ______ must be stopped: A. electoral laws B. kidnapping C. registration of eligible voters D. electoral manipulation
8. The following are the attributes of a good citizen except: A. obedience B. loyalty C. partiality D. patriotism
9. All the following are features of rule of law except: A. equality before the law B. fair hearing C. impartiality D. delegated legislation
10. Which of the following is not a function of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): A. Administering Oath of office B. Conduct periodic elections C. Registration of political parties D. Compilation of voter’s register

Reading Assignment

Fundamentals of Civic Education for JS 3 by Sola Akinyemi, Pages 40-41.

Weekend Assignment (Week 2)

1. All the following are importance of elections except: A. elections promote violence B. elections promote democracy C. elections enhance political participation D. elections ensure peaceful change of government
2. In which geo-political zone is Edo state? A. South-East B. South-West C. South-South D. North-Central
3. What is the slogan of Ondo State? A. pace setters B. sunshine state C. the state of harmony D. centre of commerce
4. How many Senators are in the house of senate? A. 108 B. 200 C. 109 D. 107
5. How many people are in the house of representative? A. 340 B. 350 C. 355 D. 360

Theory Questions (Week 2)

1. Define election.
2. Give five importance of election.

Week Three: Electoral Bodies in Nigeria

Topic: Electoral Bodies in Nigeria

Types of Electoral Bodies in Nigeria

There are two types of electoral bodies in Nigeria:

1. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
2. State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC)

Composition and Roles of Electoral Bodies in Nigeria

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

INEC is the main agent of democracy in Nigeria. INEC is a permanent body created by the constitution to organize federal and state elections in Nigeria. The overall head of INEC is called chairman. Every state in Nigeria has a resident electoral commissioner that supervises the conduct of elections in the states.

State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC)

The State Independent Electoral Commission has power to:

• Organize, undertake and supervise all elections to local government councils within a state
• Advise INEC on the compilation of the register of voters for local government election

Functions of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

1. Registration of political parties
2. Registration of voters and provision of voter’s cards
3. Registration of candidates for elections
4. Provision of electoral materials such as ballot papers and ballot boxes
5. Counting of votes after elections
6. Announcement and declaration of winners
7. Education of citizens about democracy and electoral process in Nigeria
8. To educate voters about democracy and electoral process in Nigeria
9. To divide the country into constituencies or electoral districts

Evaluation Questions (Week 3)

1. Mention the functions of INEC.
2. Mention the functions of SIEC.
3. Mention the two types of electoral commission in Nigeria.

General Evaluation/Review Questions

1. What were the features of Richards Constitution of 1946?
2. Mention four advantages of the Richard Constitution of 1946.
3. Mention four disadvantages of the Richards Constitution of 1946.
4. Which constitution divided Nigeria into three unequal regions?
5. How many Nigerians were in the executive council of 1946 Richards constitution?

Class Activity

1. Which of these features distinguish the Yorubas from the Hausas? A. Dressing B. Greeting C. Marriage D. All of the above
2. Type of courage is: A. stubbornness spirit B. moral courage C. dancing courage D. fighting courage
3. A courageous person must possess all these qualities except: A. commitment B. endurance C. determination D. indiscipline
4. The three arm of government include: A. the advocacy, tyranny and judiciary B. the legislative, judiciary and executive C. democracy, executive and the rule of law D. the legislative, communism and advocacy
5. One of the attributes of right attitude to work is: A. punctuality B. unseriousness C. indiscipline D. laziness
6. Rescuing a child from drowning is a demonstration of: A. swimming ability B. loving courage C. physical courage D. moral courage
7. Which of these has the constitutional power to change currency in Nigeria? A. Federal government only B. State government only C. State and Local government D. Local government only
8. A federation uses: A. unwritten constitution B. Confederal constitution C. federal constitution D. unitary constitution
9. The name ‘Nigeria’ was suggested by: A. Miss Flora Shaw B. Lord Lugard C. General Clifford D. General Macpherson
10. Nigeria presently uses: A. written constitution B. A flexible constitution C. A confederal constitution D. A federal constitution

Reading Assignment

Fundamentals of Civic Education for JSS 3 by Sola Akinyemi, Pages 41-42.

Weekend Assignment (Week 3)

1. The overall head of INEC is called the: A. Chairman B. President C. Governor D. Supervisor
2. Electoral materials such as ballot box and ballot papers are provided by: A. NAFDAC B. EFCC C. INEC D. NEMA
3. The slogan of Ogun State is: A. heart beat B. sunshine state C. treasure base D. gateway state
4. The slogan of the Federal Capital territory of Nigeria is: A. centre of unity B. centre of Excellence C. fountain knowledge D. treasure base
5. Elections in Nigeria take place every: A. five years B. six years C. ten years D. four years

Theory Questions (Week 3)

1. Mention the types of electoral commission in Nigeria.
2. Identify five functions of INEC.

Practice Questions and Assignments Summary

This section contains all practice questions, weekend assignments, and theory questions organized by week for easy revision and exam preparation.

Key Topics Covered

• Elections and types of elections in Nigeria
• Importance of elections in democratic society
• Electoral bodies (INEC and SIEC)
• Functions and composition of electoral bodies
• Nigerian political system and office holders

Recommended Study Approach

1. Read each week’s content thoroughly
2. Attempt all evaluation questions
3. Complete weekend assignments
4. Practice theory questions
5. Review general evaluation questions for comprehensive understanding

Published for: JSS3 Students, Teachers, and Parents
Subject: Civic Education
Term: Second Term
Educational Level: Junior Secondary School (Basic 9)
Country: Nigeria