Consequences of Non: Performance of Obligations – JSS1 Civic Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

The consequences of non-performance of obligations are the harmful results that follow when citizens fail to do their duties to the nation.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. State the consequences of non-performance of obligations.
2. Explain how non-performance of obligations affects national development.
3. Explain how it affects law and order, discipline and crime in society.
4. Describe how it affects government, leadership and foreign investment.
5. Suggest ways citizens can avoid these consequences.

What are obligations of a citizen?

An obligation is a duty that a citizen must perform for the good of the community and the nation.

• Paying taxes: citizens give part of their income to government to fund public services.
• Obeying laws: citizens follow the rules made for peace and order.
• Voting: eligible citizens take part in elections to choose leaders.
• Protecting public property: citizens care for roads, schools, hospitals and water facilities.
• Keeping the environment clean: citizens dispose of waste properly and join sanitation exercises.
• Respecting the rights of others: citizens treat fellow citizens fairly.
• Loyalty to the nation: citizens respect national symbols such as the flag and the anthem.

What are the consequences of non-performance of obligations?

There are ten main consequences, which can be grouped by the area of national life they affect.

Consequences for national development

• Lack of national progress: there is not enough money for government projects such as roads, schools and hospitals.
• Inability to provide basic amenities: government cannot supply enough water, electricity, health care and education.
• Low foreign investment: foreign investors avoid a country with poor order and weak public services.

Consequences for law, order and behaviour

• Breakdown of law and order: when many people break rules, peace is hard to keep.
• Low moral standards and poor discipline: citizens copy wrong behaviour such as cheating and disrespect for rules.
• High crime rate: lawlessness encourages stealing, violence and other offences.
• Punishment by the law: citizens who disobey laws can face sanctions such as fines or imprisonment.

Consequences for the environment

• Unhealthy environment: refuse and dirty surroundings cause pollution and health problems.

Consequences for leadership and trust

• Bad leadership: when citizens do not vote carefully or do not vote at all, wrong people may be voted into power.
• Loss of confidence in the nation: citizens and outsiders stop trusting the country and its institutions.

What are examples of an obligation and its consequence?

Each obligation that is ignored leads to a matching problem, as the table shows.

How does failure to pay taxes slow national development?

Failure to pay taxes slows development because government depends on taxes to pay for public projects.

1. Citizens and businesses fail to pay their taxes.
2. Government collects less money than it needs.
3. Fewer roads, schools, hospitals and water supplies are built or repaired.
4. Citizens suffer poor services and a lower standard of living.
5. Investors see weak facilities and may take their money elsewhere.

How does failure to vote lead to bad leadership?

Failure to vote carefully allows unfit people to win office.

• Low turnout: when good citizens stay at home, a small group decides the result.
• Wrong choices: voters who sell their votes or ignore a candidate’s character may elect poor leaders.
• Weak governance: poor leaders may fail to provide amenities or protect citizens.

How can these consequences be avoided?

These consequences are avoided when every citizen performs his or her obligations willingly.

• Pay taxes honestly: this gives government money for public services.
• Obey laws and rules: this keeps peace in the home, school and community.
• Vote wisely: choose leaders by character and ability.
• Keep surroundings clean: join sanitation exercises and avoid dumping refuse in drains.
• Care for public property: report vandals and do not damage school or community facilities.
• Teach others: parents, teachers and community leaders should encourage good citizenship.

Evaluation

1. State five consequences of non-performance of obligations.
2. Explain why national development suffers when citizens do not perform their obligations.
3. How can non-performance of obligations lead to bad leadership?
4. Mention two ways it affects the government’s ability to serve the people.
5. Name two obligations that help to keep the environment healthy.

Assignment

Explain any three consequences of non-performance of obligations in your own words.