Rights and Duties of a Citizen – JSS1 Civic Education Lesson Note (Second Term)

A right is a privilege or entitlement which the law permits an individual as a citizen of a country. A duty is something a citizen is expected to do for their country. Rights include the right to life, education and fair hearing. Duties include paying taxes, obeying laws, voting and defending the country.

Behavioural objectives

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

• define rights and duties of a citizen;
• list five rights of a citizen;
• list four duties of a citizen.

What are the rights of a citizen?

Rights are privileges or entitlements which the law permits for an individual as a citizen of that country.

The rights of citizens include the following:

• Right to life
• Right to freedom of movement
• Right to a fair hearing
• Right to education
• Right to vote and to be voted for

What are the duties of a citizen?

Duties are those things and actions which citizens are expected to do for their country.

The duties of citizens include the following:

• Payment of taxes, rents and rates
• Obedience to the laws of the country
• Voting during elections
• Defence of their fatherland

Evaluation

1. What is a right?
2. What is a duty?
3. State three rights of a citizen.
4. State three duties of a citizen.

Assignment

Write down the five rights of a citizen and the four duties of a citizen listed in this lesson.