IMPACT OF CIVIC EDUCATION ON GOOD GOVERNANCE TOWARD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN IJEBU NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OGUN STATE (EDUCATION PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Civic Education is concerned with the development of values, social norms, skill and democratic ideals in the citizens. According to Utulu (2011), Civic Education becomes very relevant since it essentially seeks to introduce learners to the process of democratic socialization by promoting support for democratic behaviours and values among citizens. Mezieobi, cited by Okan and Lawal (2011) sees civic education as the educative means in a sovereign state whereby the citizens or individuals become socially and politically aware, socially integrated into the social milieu, acquire social skills and competence, become socially responsible for maximum productivity and development, all in the interest of the state. Starkey (1992) describes Civic Education as a programme that helps children to know that they have rights but also duties. It enables the learners to develop a sense of good respect for the law and affection for the Republic. Civic Education implies an understanding of the rules of democratic life and its fundamental principles. Civic Education teaches about the political system; it emphasizes the rights, roles and duties of every member of the society. The goal of Civic Education is the development of responsible citizenship. It aims at equipping the learners with the political, culture, democratic ideals and values that will enable them to function as effective and productive citizens.
Civic education remains an important means of teaching the populace about individual rights and what duties and responsibilities the governed and leaders should do. The introduction of Civic Education as a subject to be taught in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria is expected to further deepen democratic culture and encourage qualitative participation of the average Nigerian in the governance process. The Civic Education curriculum according to Yahya (2013) addresses young Nigerians in the formative educational years. The contents address issues that are important to developing young Nigerian people into responsible citizens. In other words, the curriculum enables our young people imbibe the values, norms, knowledge, actions and activities for sustaining development. While sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Good governance Sustainable development could also be construed as a global responsibility and solidarity between generations, between women and men and between different cultures and countries. It is about safeguarding and efficient use of existing natural resources. Investment in management of human, social and physiological resources is also crucial parts of sustainable development.
