Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Junior Secondary School 2

SUBJECT:��CIVIC EDUCATION � ���

CLASS:� JSS2

DATE:

TERM: 3RD TERM

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WEEK SEVEN

ILLITERACY

• Meaning.
• Causes.
• Consequences.
• Solution

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MEANING OF ILLITERACY

According to the United Nations (U.N), illiteracy is the inability to read and write a simple sentence in any language. Illiteracy is a common social problem in Nigeria. Various administrations through their policies have been fighting it, looking for ways to eradicate it. For instance, late Chief ObafemiAwolowo in 1955 initiated the Universal Primary Education (UPE), making it compulsory for every child in the then Western Nigeria, to go through the primary education.

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EVALUATION

What is illiteracy?

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CAUSES OF ILLITERACY

1. Poverty: This is a major cause for illiteracy. This is the inability of many families to send their children to school due to lack of funds.
2. Crave for wealth: To many youths, going to school is a waste of time. They believe that since the essence of education is to make money, so they rather go into businesses and learn how to be rich faster.
3. Loss of bread winners: Some children could not go to school as a result of the death of the person sponsoring them. Often, most drop out due to lack of funds.
4. Traditions and values of the society: In some societies like Nigeria, the girl- child is not given much importance compared to the man- child. Hence, she is made not to attend school. Also, some societies see education as a threat to their customs and traditions,
5. Inconsistent educational policies: Political instabilities cause constant change in educational policies. Some regimes have beautiful plans while others are often non-challant about it.

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EVALUATION

Mention three causes of illiteracy.

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CONSEQUENCES OF ILLITERACY

1. It breeds inferiority complex: When the illiterates are in the midst of educated people, they could feel inferior because of the inability to relate well with them.
2. It may lead to complete ignorance: Illiteracy might deny them the opportunity of reading vital information about many issues that can positively affect them.
3. It often breeds poverty and crime: Due to his inability to read and write well, a person might not be able to get a very good job with fat pay. When this happens, he often ventures into armed robbery.
4. It can cause misfortunes: Many illiterates fall into avoidable troubles. Due to their�

inability to relate effectively, they are often duped of their fortunes in the course of seeking assistance in completing bank documents.

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EVALUATION

State three consequences of illiteracy

SOLUTIONS TO ILLITERACY

1. Free education at all levels.
2. Mass literacy campaign.
3. Consistent government policies.
4. Government should provide more funds to the education sector.
5. All children should have equal access to education.
6. Government should encourage technical and vocational skills in schools.

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EVALUATION

Mention four solutions to illiteracy.

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GENERAL EVALUATION/ REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Mention three causes of illiteracy.
2. State three consequences of illiteracy.
3. Mention four solutions to illiteracy.
4. State four benefits of democracy.
5. Mention three conditions necessary for successful operation of democracy.

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READING ASSIGNMENT

Fundamentals of Civic Education for Basic 8 by Sola Akinyemi, pgs 156-160.

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WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. ____ initiated the Universal Primary Education (UPE). A. Louis Edet B. Alec Dickens C. Obafemi Awolowo D. Samuel Akintola
2. The inability to read and write a simple sentence in any language is called ____. A. writing disability B. dysfunctional education C. illiteracy D. reading disability
3. Illiteracy will lead to the following except____. A. high crime rate B. poverty C. economic development D. complete ignorance
4. A major cause of illiteracy is____. A. poverty in many families B. inadequate library in the society C. lack of government vehicle to take pupils/students to school D. inability of the government to buy� books for those willing to attend school
5. The Universal Primary Education (UPE) was initiated in ____. A. 1976 B. 1955 C. 1961 D. 1980

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THEORY

1. Define illiteracy.
2. Mention three solutions to the problem of illiteracy.