Course: Social and Religious Studies, Topic: UNIT 4:Civics and Governance

General

UNIT 4:Civics and Governance
Key Unit Competence:
• Explain how to manage peer pressure.
• Explain the meaning of national symbols and relate leadership to development.

Attitudes and Values:
• Appreciate acceptable behaviour and show concern about bad behaviour.
• Appreciate and respect national symbols and develop a sense of patriotism.
4.1 Civic education
Civic education is a process of sensitising the electorate on voting.

Importance of civic education
Civic education helps voters to:
• Elect wisely.
• Minimise or reduce the number of invalid ballot papers.
• Know the candidates in the race for election.
• Know when and how elections take place.

Acceptable behaviour in our province
In the community we live in, people have different behaviour patterns.
Some are good and others are bad.
Activity 4.1
1. Which behaviour in pictures A & B is good, and which one is bad?
2. In groups, discuss other examples of good and bad behaviour.

Examples of acceptable behaviour
Acceptable behaviour is a behaviour which brings peace, respect, unity, and cooperation among people. Good behaviour is supposed to be practised by both children and adults within society. Acceptable behaviour includes:
• Cleaning our environment.
• To say ‘Thank you’ or to appreciate.
• Asking for forgiveness.
• Respecting others.
• Helping parents.
• Listening to teachers, parents and elders.
• Greeting people.
• Being polite.
• Being orderly and smart.
Unacceptable behaviour
There are some forms of behaviour which are unacceptable in the society.
These lead to conflict, tension and fights. This kind of behaviour includes:
• Drinking alcohol.
• Smoking.
• Abusing.
• Fighting.
• Stealing.
• Throwing litter on the ground.
• Disturbing others in class.
• Making noise in class.

Influence of peer pressure
A person’s behaviour can be changed for good or bad by peer pressure.
Peers are people of the same age.
Peer pressure is what makes a person start doing what is good or bad in
order to fit in with a group.
Consequences of peer pressure
Peer pressure can have both positive as well as negative consequences.
Positive consequences
A peer group may teach good things and encourage us to
• Adopt good habits and give up bad ones.
• Make the right decisions.
• Shape our personality in a positive way.
• Develop a constructive attitude towards life.
• Improve our academic performance.
• Develop our communication skills.

Negative consequences
We can fall into bad company. We may
• adopt bad habits.
• take wrong decisions.
• lose our identity and individuality.
• become selfish.
• become alienated from our family.
• fail to perform well in academics.
We should be very careful in choosing our peer group.
Ways of avoiding bad peer groups
There are many life skills that can help avoid bad peer groups. These include:
• Saying no to bad behaviour.
• Listening to advice from elders.
• Join a club, like a sports club.
• Shun bad peer groups.
• Join cooperative.
Activity 4.2
1. Which activity in the pictures above is:
a) Good behaviour b) Bad behaviour
2. Discuss how to avoid bad behaviour.
4.2 Rwanda as an independent nation
A Nation
A nation is a group of people with strong bonds of identity, living together within the same geographical and political boundaries, under one government.
An independent country is a country free from colonial rule or any external influence.
Each nation has its own symbols which identify it.
These symbols are:
• The national anthem.
• The national flag.
• The national coat of arms / the national emblem.
• The national constitution.
• The national motto.
• The national currency.

The National Anthem
The National Anthem is a song which is sung show respect to and pride for the nation. It is sung in praise of the nation.
The new National Anthem of Rwanda was composed by Faustin Murigo and set to the music by Captain Jean Bosco Hashakimana.
The National Anthem has four stanzas or parts
1) Rwanda nziza Gihugu cyacu
Wuje imisozi, ibiyaga n’ibirunga
Ngobyi iduhetse gahorane ishya
Reka tukurate tukuvuge ibigwi
Wowe utubumbiye hamwe twese
Abanyarwanda uko watubyaye
Berwa, sugira, singizwa iteka.
2)Horana Imana, murage mwiza
Ibyo tugukesha ntibishyikirwa;
Umuco dusangiye uraturanga
Ururimi rwacu rukaduhuza
Ubwenge,umutima, amaboko yacu
Nibigukungahaze bikwiye
Nuko utere imbere ubutitsa.
3)Abakurambere b’intwari
Bitanze batizigama
Baraguhanga uvamo ubukombe
Utsinda ubukoroni na mpatsibihugu
Byayogoje Afurika yose
None uraganje mu bwigenge
Tubukomeyeho uko turi twese
4)Komeza imihigo Rwanda dukunda
Duhagurukiye kukwitangira
Ngo amahoro asabe mu bagutuye
Wishyire wizane muri byose
Urangwe n’ishyaka utere imbere
Uhamye umubano n’amahanga yose
Maze ijabo ryawe riguhe ijambo.
The National Flag
The National Flag is a symbol of identity which shows country’s independence. The National Flag of Rwanda was designed by Alphonse Cyirimobenecyo. The Rwandan National Flag has three colours: Blue,
Yellow and Green.
Activity 4.3
1. Arrange the colours of the Rwandan National Flag:
a) From top to bottom
b) From bottom to top
2. Which colour on the National Flag occupies the largest area?
Meaning of colours of the national flag
Blue: Shows peace and happiness for our country
Yellow: Represents wealth for the people and the country
Green: Shows prosperity for the country
The flag also has the sun with twenty–four rays against a blue in the top right corner. This represents hope for the people and the
country.

The Rwandan Flag is raised at half-mast:
• During national mourning days.
• When a very important person has died and this has been officially declared by Parliament.

The Rwanda National Flag is hoisted in places like:
• Public offices.
• At the Parliamentary building.
• The National Bank of Rwanda.
• The Police Station.
• In schools.
• At international airports.
Activity 4.4
1. Discuss other places where the National Flag is flown in your province.
2. When is the National Flag flown at half mast?
3. Give reasons why the Rwandan Flag is flown at half mast in some offices.

National coat of arms
The national coat of arms is the symbol of official authenticity of a country. It is also called the national emblem.
It represents political, cultural, social and economic aspects of a country.
The National Emblem should have the national motto and symbols with the political, cultural, social and economic ideas of a country.
Features of the coat of arms of Rwanda
The national coat of arms of Rwanda is made up of different features including the sun, basket, sorghum, coffee plant, cog and two shields.
Activity 4.5
1. Discuss the symbols found on the National Coat of Arms.
2. Write the national motto of Rwanda in English and in Kinyarwanda.
Meaning of the symbols on the national coat of arms
The two shields: The shields represent defence, patriotism and unity.
The sun: Shows hope and transparency.
The basket: Represents culture and the gift of friendship.
Coffee and Sorghum: Represent agriculture in the country.
Green ring with a knot at the bottom: Represents unity.
Blue cog: Represents moving forward for technology and
industrial development in Rwanda.
Importance of the national coat of arms
• It is a symbol of independence.
• It is a symbol of the nation.

The national constitution
The constitution of the Republic of Rwanda was adopted by referendum on 26 May, 2003 and came into force on 4th June 2003. However, it was later revised on 18 December 2015.

A constitution is a body of basic principles or guidelines, according to which a state or any organisation is to be governed.

A referendum is a direct vote by the citizens of a country on a single political issue.

National motto
Represents unity, work and love for the country.
The national motto of Rwanda is “unity, work and patriotism”. In Kinyarwanda it means “ubumwe, umurimo, gukunda igihugu”. This motto is written below the National Coat of Arms.

The national currency
Rwanda Franc is the national currency of Rwanda.
4.3 Leadership in our province
Leadership is the act of guiding or managing others.
Leadership is important in our province because it helps in directing and planning resources and meeting the needs of the people.
A leader is a person who is given the responsibility of guiding and managing others.
Main leaders in our province (Intara)
There are many leaders in our province who provide services to the people.
They include the following:
• The Governor, who is the head of the province.
• The Cabinet of the Governor.
• The Executive Secretary.
• The Coordination Committee.
• The Directors of Department.
• The Secretary Committee.
• The Province Executive Secretary.

Leadership style and democracy in our province
Democracy is the government of the people, for the people and by the people.
Democracy gives people freedom to exercise their rights by electing their leaders.
When the people are given a chance to elect their own leaders, it shows a sign of democracy.
People can become leaders in different such as:
• Voting through secret ballot
• Being appointed
• Through inheritance
Role of a leader in our province
There are leaders in our province who perform different roles in providing services to the people.
A leader is called Umuyobozi in Kinyarwanda. We should respect our leaders because they help us get services in the province. The role of a

leader is as below:
• To promote development
• To solve conflicts among people
• To coordinate between the people and the government
• To guide people on how to use resources
• To Provide social services to the people
Qualities of a good leader
A good leader should:
• Be exemplary.
• Be a good listener.
• Make good decisions.
• Be kind and honest.
• Be God-fearing.
• Be patient.
Activity 4.6
1. Discuss the other roles of the leaders in our province.
2. What are the qualities of a good leader? Give any five such qualities.
Factors that contribute to good governance in our province
There are many things that should be in place provide good governance and development in our province. These include:
• Cooperation: When different people work together to make sure that there is good governance
• Democracy: When people we are a given a chance to participate in electing their leaders, democracy is ensured.
• Unity: Is the spirit of togetherness.
• Good media: Helps information to reach the people in a country.
• Harmony: When there is peace in an area it helps to promote good governance.
• Respect for leaders: This helps to promote a good relationship
• between the government and the people.
Activity 4.7
1. In groups, discus indicators of democracy and good governance and make a presentation.
2. Name the factors that contribute to good governance in our province.

How good governance contributes to development
Good governance can contribute to the development of an area. Through good governance people are able to benefit from the services such as:
• Excellent security.
• Good medical care.
• Good transport.
• Good communication networks.
• Democracy.
Activity 4.8
1. What is a leader?
2. Give any two characteristics of a good leader.
1. helping parents ,respecting adults and listening to teachers are ....... behaviour
2. Young children should not drink alcohol because ;...................
3. Discuss bad behaviour shown by children both at home and at school.
4. What is peer pressure?
5. Describe three ways in which you can avoid bad peer groups.
6. What is a nation?
7. Give any four symbols of a nation.
8. Who designed the Rwanda National Flag?
9. Name the colours marked A,B and C
10. Explain the meaning of the colours found in the National Flag of Rwanda.
11. Why is a flag sometimes raised at half mast
12. Identify three places where the National flag is raised.
13. State the National Motto of Rwanda.
14. Mention four features found on the Rwand National Coat of Arms.
15. What do the following symbols on the National Coat of Arms represent?
a) coffee and sorghum
b) the sun
c) two shields
d) the basket
16. Who is a leader?
18. Which political title is given to the head of the province?
19. Explain four qualities of a good leader.
20. Find the following words from the puzzle below Coat ,leader,good, democracy, bad

Social and Religious Studies

General

UNIT 4:Civics and Governance

UNIT 4:Civics and Governance

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