### Lesson Plan: Public Corporation
#### Senior Secondary 2
#### Duration: 60 minutes
#### Objective:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Define Public Corporation.
2. Identify and explain the characteristics of Public Corporations.
3. Outline the reasons for setting up Public Corporations.
4. Describe the functions of Public Corporations.
5. Understand the organizational structure of Public Corporations.
6. Differentiate between Public Corporation and Civil Service.
7. Discuss the ways Public Corporations are controlled.
#### Materials:
- Whiteboard and markers
- Projector and laptop (optional for videos or presentations)
- Handouts with key points and terms
- Textbooks
- Case studies of specific Public Corporations
#### Lesson Structure:
**Introduction (5 minutes):**
- Begin with a brief discussion on what students already know about Public Corporations.
- Display the lesson objectives on the board.
**Definition and Characteristics (10 minutes):**
- Define Public Corporation: A Public Corporation is a company or organization created by the government to undertake commercial activities on behalf of the government.
- Explain key characteristics:
- Government Ownership
- Autonomy
- Legal Entity
- Service-oriented
- Engage with students by asking them to list any Public Corporations they know.
**Reasons for Setting up Public Corporations (10 minutes):**
- Discuss various reasons for setting up Public Corporations:
- To provide essential services
- To promote economic development
- To prevent exploitation by private monopolies
- To control strategic sectors of the economy
- Ask students to give examples of services or sectors where Public Corporations might be necessary.
**Functions of Public Corporations (10 minutes):**
- Explain the functions of Public Corporations:
- Providing specific goods and services
- Generating revenue for the government
- Promoting economic stability
- Ensuring equitable distribution of resources
- Involve students by discussing the role of specific Public Corporations in Nigeria (e.g., Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation).
**Organizational Structure (10 minutes):**
- Describe the typical organizational structure of Public Corporations:
- Board of Directors
- Managing Director/CEO
- Various departments and units
- Use a diagram to illustrate the structure.
- Discuss how this structure ensures efficient operation and accountability.
**Differences between Public Corporation and Civil Service (5 minutes):**
- Highlight key differences:
- Nature of work (commercial vs administrative)
- Funding (revenue generation vs budget allocation)
- Autonomy (more autonomy vs more government control)
- Provide handouts that summarize these differences.
**Control of Public Corporations (10 minutes):**
- Explain the ways Public Corporations are controlled:
- Government regulations
- Parliamentary oversight
- Internal audits
- Public accountability mechanisms
- Discuss any recent issues or controversies involving Public Corporations to illustrate these points.
**Conclusion and Assessment (10 minutes):**
- Summarize the lesson points.
- Conduct a quick quiz or ask questions to assess understanding.
- What is a Public Corporation?
- List three characteristics of Public Corporations.
- Why do governments set up Public Corporations?
- Describe the organizational structure of a typical Public Corporation.
- Mention two differences between Public Corporations and Civil Services.
- Assign a brief homework task: Students should research and write a short paragraph on a Public Corporation in Nigeria, including its functions and importance.
**Closing Remarks:**
- Announce the next topic to be covered in the following class.
- Encourage students to visit the websites of various Public Corporations for more in-depth understanding.
#### Homework:
- Research and report on a Public Corporation in Nigeria:
- Name of the Public Corporation
- Its main functions
- Its importance to the economy and society
This lesson plan aims at covering all aspects of Public Corporations in a structured and engaging manner while assessing students' understanding through interactive discussion and evaluation methods.