Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Junior Secondary School 3

SUBJECT: HOME ECONOMICS

CLASS:  JSS 3

DATE:

TERM: 2nd TERM

REFERENCE BOOKS

• Home Economics New Concept Book 3 by Popoola O.O Mrs 
• Home Economics for Junior Senior Schools Book 1 – 3 by Elizabeth Anyakoha Mrs

 
WEEK TEN

TOPIC: CONSUMER CHALLENGES AND RIGHTS

CONTENT:    DEFINITION OF A CONSUMER

        RIGHTS OF THE CONSUMER

        REDRESS OPTIONS FOR CONSUMER

        CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITY

WHO IS A CONSUMER?

A consumer is an individual who makes the final use of goods and services provided by a firm.

Consumer education is the process of enlightening the public about their rights as far as goods purchased are concerned. It is the process of helping individual become informed consumers.

Consumerism refers to organized efforts of action of consumers or individual to protect themselves against the unfair practices of businessmen.

RIGHTS OF THE CONSUMER

The consumer has the right to:

1. Buy the right quality of goods.
2. Inspect the goods before buying.
3. Insist on getting value for money spent.
4. Choose the goods he likes.
5. Insist on correct measures.
6. Insist on correct balances (change) whenever he pays for goods.
7. Be informed.
8. Be heard.
9. Safety of goods bought.
10. Healthy environment.
11. Seek redress to correct any injustice.

EVALUATION

1. Who is a consumer?
2. State five rights of a consumer.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Consumer protection is a process whereby the government or its agents and also private organizations try to ensure that consumers derive maximum satisfaction from commodities they purchase and to reduce their exploitation by manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.

Reasons for Consumer Protection

1. To ensure that consumers derive maximum satisfaction from commodities they purchase.
2. To protect consumers from misleading claims and false advertisements.
3. To ensure regular supply of essential goods and services.
4. To assist consumers in making right choices.
5. To protect consumers against the adverse effects of consuming harmful and dangerous goods.
6. To prevent consumers from being cheated by the use of false, incorrect and deceptive weights and     measures.
7. To ensure that producers adhere to standard quality of goods and to prevent consumers from  consuming substandard and inferior goods.

Ways By Which Consumers can Be Protected

1. By legislations: Many laws have been enacted by the government to protect consumers against unfair  practices by producers and sellers. Such laws include:

    Price control Act 1970

    Consumer credit Act 1974

    Weights and measures Act 1963

    Supply of Goods Act 1973

    Food and Drugs Act 1974, etc.

2. Through government agencies/ organization: This comprises agencies that protect and educate consumers. They are:

    Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)

    National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC)

    Price Control Board

    Rent Tribunal

    Environmental Protection Agencies

3. Independent Organization: These are a number of private independent organizations (NGOs) which seek to protect consumers. They complement government efforts in this regard. They include:

    Trade association

    Manufacturers/Producers Association

    Consumers Association

    The mass media

    Consumer Co-operative Societies

    Educational Institution

    Pressure Groups

EVALUATION

1. Define the term ‘consumer protection’.
2. State three ways by which consumer rights can be protected.

CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITY

Consumer responsibility refers to the role a consumer plays in the way that goods and services are provided and made available to the public. It is the duty of the consumer to be aware of any changes that may have been made and which may affect the performance of the product, and so on.

Responsibilities of a Consumer

1. It is the duty of consumers to educate themselves about their rights. Consumers should shop around    and gather information about any product before any purchase is made.
2. Consumers should read and follow the instruction or warnings regarding a product before purchase.
3. Consumers must be alert to changes in the price and quality of goods.
4. It is also the responsibility of the consumer to notice any breach in the product, either in  performance or quality, and bring it to the notice of the appropriate authorities.
5. It is the duty of the consumer to be in solidarity with other consumers, to come together to organize and to have the strength to influence and promote their mutual interests.

GENERAL EVALUATION

1. State four responsibilities of a consumer
2. Differentiate between a consumer and customer.
3. State three importance of Home Economics.
4. State five guidelines for meal planning.
5. State five characteristics common to both adolescent boys and girls.

READING ASSIGNMENT

Essential Commerce for SSS by O. A. Longe. Pages 127-135

WABP Junior Secondary Business Studies Book 2. Pages 86-90.

WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. Which of the following is not the right of the consumer? The right to  A. be informed   

1. choose C. healthy environment     D. save money on food and drugs

1. A consumer can seek redress through the following ways exceptA.  legislation   

1. independent organization C. fighting D. government agency

1. Which of the following principles enlightens the public on their rights about good purchased?A.  Economic education    B. Consumer education    C. family education    D. Religious education
2. The greatest weapon of the buyer against the activities of false advertisers isA.  Consumer education    B. manufacturer’s education    C. Producer’s education  D.  Marketing education
3. The following are government organizations established to protect the consumers exceptA.  Standard organization of Nigeria    B. NAFDAC    C. The mass media    D. rent tribunal

THEORY

1. Define consumerism
2. State three reasons for protecting the consumers.