Poverty and its Effects – SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note (First Term)

Poverty is the condition in which a person cannot adequately afford the basic needs of life, such as food, clothing, shelter, healthcare and education.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. define poverty and state its types and causes;
2. state the effects of poverty on the individual and the nation;
3. explain the importance of employment in reducing poverty;
4. list some poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria;
5. name the schemes under the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP);
6. describe the factors that promote guaranteed employment.

What are the types of poverty?

There are two main types of poverty: absolute poverty and relative poverty.

Absolute poverty

• Meaning: a state in which a person cannot afford the minimum needs for survival.
• Example: a family that cannot afford regular meals, clean water or a place to sleep.

Relative poverty

• Meaning: a state in which a person is poor when compared with the standard of living of others in the same society.
• Example: a family that can eat but cannot afford what most people around it enjoy, such as good schooling.

What are the causes of poverty?

Poverty is caused by a mix of personal, economic and political factors.

• Unemployment: people without jobs have no steady income.
• Poor education: people without useful knowledge or skills earn little.
• Corruption: public funds meant for development are shared by a few people.
• Poor infrastructure: bad roads and irregular electricity make businesses fail.
• Rapid population growth: resources are shared among too many people.
• Natural disasters: floods and drought destroy farms and homes.
• Poor governance: bad policies discourage investment and job creation.

What are the effects of poverty?

Poverty affects the individual, the family and the nation.

Effects on the individual and the family

• Low standard of living: people cannot afford good food, housing and healthcare.
• Break-up of marriages: lack of money causes quarrels and separation.
• Irresponsibility: a poor person may fail to carry out duties to family and society.
• School drop-out: parents cannot pay fees, so children leave school.
• Political apathy: poor people lose interest in voting and public affairs.

Effects on the nation

• Higher crime rate: hunger and joblessness push some people into stealing and violence.
• Worse social vices: cultism, prostitution and drug abuse increase.
• Low savings and investment: people spend all their income on survival.
• High dependency: many people depend on a few who earn.
• Higher government spending: government spends more on social needs and security.

Why is employment important in reducing poverty?

Employment is engagement in a legal economic activity that enables a person to provide for the basic needs of life.

• Savings and investment: workers save part of their income, which boosts investment.
• Basic needs: income lets the individual pay for food, shelter and clothing.
• Economic growth: more people producing goods and services raises national output.
• Standard of living: better income improves the quality of life.
• Government revenue: workers and businesses pay taxes.
• Less crime: busy and paid people are less likely to turn to social vices.
• Lower dependency: fewer people rely on others for support.
• Popular participation: people with a stake in society take part in public affairs.
• Responsible family life: parents can feed, clothe and school their children.
• Good planning: a steady income helps people plan ahead.

What are the poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria?

Poverty alleviation programmes are government schemes meant to reduce poverty and speed up national development.

• Performance: whether these programmes met expectations is still open to question.

What is NAPEP?

The National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) was set up in 2001 because the earlier programmes did not deliver full results.

NAPEP was divided into four schemes:

1. Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES): trains young people and helps them find work.
2. Rural Infrastructure Development Scheme (RIDS): provides rural facilities such as roads, water and electricity.
3. Social Welfare Services Scheme (SOWESS): provides social services for people in need.
4. Natural Resources Development and Conservation Scheme (NRDCS): develops and protects natural resources.

• NAPEC: the National Poverty Eradication Council was set up to monitor the progress of the schemes.

What factors promote guaranteed employment?

Guaranteed employment depends on education, infrastructure, support for business and good government policy.

• Qualitative and functional education: schools should shift from certificate-based to practical education. School leavers can then start productive ventures instead of waiting for jobs that are not available.
• Basic infrastructural facilities: electricity and good roads help businesses to thrive.
• Investment in agriculture: young people will farm if it is as attractive as other sectors. Farmers need subsidy on seedlings and a ready market.
• Skill acquisition: skills such as fashion designing, plumbing, baking and hairdressing can guarantee work at any time.
• Credit facilities for SMEs: soft loans help Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to run and grow.
• Good governance: policies that favour business growth give people confidence to start and run businesses.

Evaluation

1. Define poverty.
2. State five effects of poverty.
3. Explain five ways in which employment helps to reduce poverty.
4. List four poverty alleviation programmes in Nigeria.
5. Name the four schemes under NAPEP.

Assignment

Explain any three factors that promote guaranteed employment, and state how each one helps to reduce poverty.