Duties And Responsibilities Of Citizens SS2 Civic Education Lesson Note

Duties and obligations are the constitutional responsibilities a citizen or citizens are expected to perform in society for the smooth governance of the state. There are three categories of obligations: civic or political obligations, economic obligations and social obligations.

Civic or political obligations are the political duties of the citizens to the state such as voting during elections, readiness to serve, obedience to law and order, etc.

Economic obligations are the duties of the citizens that are associated with business, revenue, funding and maintenance of infrastructures. A good example of economic duty is prompt payment of taxes.

Social obligations are the duties of the citizens that are related to the individual’s relationship with government agents, government properties and other citizens in the state. Examples of social obligations are respect for constituted authority, promotion of orderliness in public places, involvement in environmental sanitation, protection of public properties, etc.

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENS

Below are some of the duties and obligations of the citizens in the society.

1. Obedience to Law and Order: Citizens of a state have the constitutional obligation to obey the laws of the state and ensure orderliness in their conduct.
2. Payment of Taxes: Citizens owe the state the duty of tax payment. It is an offence against the state for an employed citizen to evade tax payment. 
3. Voting During Election: All qualified citizens are expected to participate in the election of political leaders at all levels. Those who refuse to vote have no right to complain of bad governance.
4. Respect for the Rights of Other Citizens: The citizens are expected not to infringe on the rights of other citizens in the process of exercising their rights.
5. Reporting suspected criminal cases to the appropriate authority or agency.
6. Readiness to serve as a witness in the court when the need arises.
7. Respect for national symbols and national anthem.
8. Involvement in community services including environmental sanitation.
9. Willingness/readiness to defend the nation at all times.

ASSIGNMENT

Instruction: From the options lettered A-D, choose the letter that is most appropriate for the following questions. Answer all the questions.

1. Which of the following is NOT a category of citizens’ duties?  Economic    B. Social C. Political D. Education.
2. The responsibilities of the citizens to a state are called   right    B. obligations C. needs     D. demands.
3. Which of the following is NOT a duty of a citizen?   tax payment  B. arrest of criminals C. loyalty to the state D. voting during an election.
4. Which of the following guarantees human rights in a state?Constitution    B. Beliefs C. Obligations D. Executive order.
5. The duty of a citizen to pay tax promptly is under which of the following categories of obligations?  A. Social   B. Political C. Educational D. Economic.