Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS 2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 7
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Civic Education
Curriculum Theme: Governance and Public Service
Previous Lesson: Public Service: Meaning and Definition.
Topic: WAYS OF IMPROVING THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN NIGERIA.
Subject Matter: Recourse and training programme, teaching of political education in schools, use of code of conduct bureau and public complaint commission.

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Identify and explain various ways to improve the public service in Nigeria.
State the functions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Public Complaint Commission.

Affective Domain:

Appreciate the importance of an efficient and accountable public service.
Value the role of political education in fostering good citizenship.

Psychomotor Domain:

Discuss how training programmes contribute to public service efficiency.
Outline the mechanisms through which public service accountability is promoted.

Participate actively in discussions about improving governance and public service delivery.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Macmillan Civic Education for Senior Secondary Schools 2
https://www.nigeria.gov.ng/government/public-service-reforms/
https://www.ccb.gov.ng/

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Civic Education textbook
Newspaper articles on public service issues
Whiteboard/Chalkboard and markers/chalk
Charts illustrating public service structures.

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand the mechanisms available for improving the efficiency and accountability of public service in Nigeria. It enables them to recognize their role as citizens in demanding and supporting a better public service for national development.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have prior knowledge of what public service is and its general importance to the nation.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Ways of Improving Public Service in Nigeria

1. Recourse and Training Programmes

These involve continuous education and development initiatives for public servants to enhance their skills, knowledge, and efficiency. Regular training helps public servants adapt to new technologies and improve service delivery.

Examples of training programmes include:

In-service training
Workshops and seminars
Refresher courses on ethics and professionalism
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training
Leadership and management development programmes

2. Teaching of Political Education in Schools

Integrating political education into the school curriculum helps to groom responsible citizens who understand their rights and duties. It fosters civic awareness and prepares future leaders with sound values.

Political education helps to teach:

Civic awareness and participation
Understanding of rights and responsibilities
Importance of rule of law
Leadership values and good governance principles
Accountability and transparency

3. Use of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Public Complaint Commission (PCC)

These are institutions established to ensure ethical conduct and accountability within the public service, as well as to address citizens’ grievances.

a) Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB)

The CCB is responsible for enforcing a high standard of morality in the conduct of government business and for preventing corruption. It ensures that public officers comply with the Code of Conduct for public officers.

Functions of the CCB include:

Receiving asset declarations from public officers.
Examining asset declarations to ensure compliance.
Investigating breaches of the Code of Conduct.
Referring cases of non-compliance to the Code of Conduct Tribunal for prosecution.
Checking abuse of office and conflict of interest.

b) Public Complaint Commission (PCC)

The PCC, also known as the Ombudsman, is an institution that investigates complaints of administrative injustice lodged by citizens against government agencies and public officials. It aims to ensure fairness and justice in public administration.

Functions of the PCC include:

Receiving and investigating complaints from citizens regarding public service actions.
Mediating disputes between citizens and government agencies.
Making recommendations to government agencies to rectify injustices.
Promoting administrative fairness and accountability.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils, reviews the previous lesson, and introduces the topic by asking pupils how they think public service can be made better in Nigeria.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils are prepared for the lesson and connect it to their prior knowledge.

Step 2: Recourse and Training Programmes

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Lecture
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the concept of recourse and training programmes, providing examples such as in-service training, workshops, and ICT training.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, ask questions for clarity, and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand how training improves public service efficiency.

Step 3: Teaching of Political Education in Schools

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the importance of political education in schools, highlighting its role in civic awareness, rights, and responsibilities.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss how political education can impact future leaders and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the role of education in shaping responsible citizens and public servants.

Step 4: Use of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Public Complaint Commission (PCC) – Part 1

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the Code of Conduct Bureau and the Public Complaint Commission, explaining their general roles as oversight bodies.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and contribute their understanding of accountability bodies.
Learning Point: Pupils identify key institutions for public service oversight.

Step 5: Use of Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and Public Complaint Commission (PCC) – Part 2

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Examples
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher elaborates on the specific functions of the CCB (e.g., asset declaration, checking abuse of office) and the PCC (e.g., receiving citizens’ complaints, investigations).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take detailed notes on the functions of each body.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the practical operations of CCB and PCC.

Step 6: Class Discussion/Case Study

Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Facilitation/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher presents a short case study or a recent news report related to public service conduct and facilitates a discussion on how the discussed measures could have prevented or resolved the issue.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the discussion, sharing their opinions and applying the lesson’s concepts.
Learning Point: Pupils apply learned concepts to real-world scenarios.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

List three ways of improving the public service in Nigeria.
Explain the role of recourse and training programmes in public service improvement.
State two functions of the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Why is the teaching of political education important for improving public service?

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, emphasizing the need for a diligent public service for national development, and gives an assignment.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the assignment.
Learning Point: The lesson is reinforced, and pupils are given an opportunity for further practice.

Lesson Keywords

Public Service – Government agencies and employees providing services to citizens.
Training Programme – Organized courses to improve skills and knowledge.
Political Education – Teaching citizens about government, rights, and responsibilities.
Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) – Agency enforcing ethical standards for public officers.
Public Complaint Commission (PCC) – Agency investigating citizens’ complaints against public administration.
Accountability – Being responsible for one’s actions and decisions.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher can encourage them to research recent cases of public service reforms in Nigeria. For those who require more support, the teacher can provide simplified notes and additional examples, ensuring all pupils participate in group discussions.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should encourage active participation and link the lesson content to current events in Nigeria to make it more relevant. Using real-life examples of public service challenges and successes can deepen pupils’ understanding.