Civics Form One Notes – Citizenship
Full text version of Civics Form One Notes on Citizenship, transcribed from the supplied source document. Source images are intentionally omitted; all recognized text from the topic pages is included below.
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‘The following are ways in which human rights are protected in Tanzania
|. The Tanzania constitution include bill of rights.
2. The government educates the public about their rights,
3. Non-government organizations educate the public about their rights
4. The press informs the government and the public about the violation of human rights
‘Human rights have limitations. There is no absolute freedom. The main reason for setting
boundaries within which human rights are exercised is to protect the interests of the other persons.
Abuse of human right is the prevention of a person from enjoying his or her rights as outlined inthe
constitution. Effects of human right abuse include conflicts in the society, oppression of the less
fortunate members of the society and increased crime and poverty.
TOPIC 4: CITIZENSHIP.
‘Meaning, types and importance of citizen
Citizenship is the legal right of a person to belong to particular country.
A citizen isa person who has te right to belong toa particular country. The condition that qualify a
person to be a citizen are specified in a constitution ofthe country. A citizen of the county is
expected to be loyal and patriotic to his or her country
‘Types of citizenship
‘There are four types of citizenship in Tanzania, These are
1. Citizenship by birth
A person who is born in Tanzania by parents who are Tanzanians citizens isthe citizen of Tanzania
‘This is citizenship by bin,
2. Citizenship by neutralization
[Non-citizens who wish to become Tanzanian citizens can apply to ministry of Home affairs for
citizenship. After receiving the application, the ministry of Home affairs publishes a notice inthe
‘news paper bearing the photograph and name of applicant. The noice informs the general public of|
the application and asks if anyone objects tothe applicant being granted citizenship. IPthere is no
objections, the application is accepted and person is ranted citizenship.
‘A person applying for citizenship in Tanzania must fulfill the following conditions:
(2) He or she must bea person of good behavior
() He or she must be lived inthe country for at least five years,
(©) Her she must be of 21 years or above.
(@) He or she must renounce his or her former citizenship.
3. Citizenship by descent
This applies to:
(2) A child whois born in Tanzania, and one of his or her parents isa citizen of Tanzania
(b) A.person who is born in outside Tanzania and one of hs or her parens isa citizen of Tanzania
However, such person has to apply tothe Ministry of Home Affairs for confirmation of citizenship,
4. Citizenship by marriage
A foreign woman who marries a citizen of Tanzania may register for citizenship
Importance of citizenship
tis important to be a citizen of a county. The advantage of being a citizen includes the following
1, Itenables a person to exercise his or her legal right in the country.
2. Itallows a person to participate in civ activities such as voting,
3. Itenables a person to get services which are granted to citizens only. Such as service
including freedom of education, scholarships and free medical services.
4. A citizen has the right to participate in political and economic activities ofthe country
Responsibilities of the citizen
Responsibilities are the things a person has to perform as aru. A citizen has todo the certain
things in the country in which he or she is a eitizen. These are called civic responsibilities or re
responsibilities of the citizen. Civie responsibility classified as follows:
1. Personal responsibilities
‘A good citizen is the one who:
(2) Takes care of himself or herself
(b) Behaves in civil o respectful manner.
(©) Consider the rights and interests of others.
(@) Support the family
(©). Accepts responsibilty for his or her action,
2. Economie responsibilities
A good citizen i obliged to:
(2) Pay taxes and other statutory payments tothe governments
() Do lawful productive work
(©) Panicipate in community development activities.
3. Social responsibilities
A citizen must:
(2) Protect his or her country from enemies,
(&) Promote fairness, equality and social justice,
(©) Respects the rights of fellow citizens
(@) Obey the law ofthe country in order for everyone to live in peace and harmony.
4. Political responsibilities
A citizen has a responsibilty to
(2) Participate in the country’s civie affair such as attending political meetings,
(&) Take part in election,
(©) Take pat in building and consolidating democracy.
(@)_ Help to develop public poiey
(©) Advocate favorable polices and legislations.
(Acquire and use information inorder to make decisions.
Results of practicing civie responsibilities
‘The following are results of fulfilling civic responsibilities:
(2) The rate of crime is reduced because people are busy carrying out their duties.
(&) There is peace and harmony during political, socal and economic activities,
(©) The tights of people are respected because people do not interfere with each other’ rights. No
citizen wil enjoy his or her rights to the point of abusing the right of other citizens. One’s freedom
ends when the other citizen’s freedom begins.
Responsibilities to special groups
Special groups are people who need special cae for various reasons. Such people should not be
neglected. They should be assisted when they cannot carry out their responsibilities and duties. The
following are some ofthe special groups of the people and the way in which we can help them:
1. Theelderty
‘These are old people. As people age, they become less energetic and may not be able to work as
‘well as young people. As the result, they cannot work effectively and earn their daily living. In
addition, some disabilities such as poor eyesight and poor muscle control may be caused by old age.
Elderly people therefore need special care.
2. Street children
This is the group of the children who stay on the strets as they have no place to live. This could the
result of various eauses such as poverty, abuse by parents or guardians, death of parents and family
break-ups. Due to these reasons children are forced to lve on streets with neither parents nor
‘guardians to take care of them, They usually have no permanent place to live in. in onder to earn
their living, street children may engage themselves in child labour and drug peddling.
In Tanzania, there are institutions which give such children life skills. Examples of such centres are
ogodogo centre in Dares Salaam and Kuleana in Mwanza,
People who have the ability to assist street children should do so, One can assist by sponsoring their
stay atthe centre, giving them clothes and food or taking them to school
3. People living with HIV and AIDS.
These are people who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The virus attacks
the white blood cells that protect the human body from infection and disease.
Many HIV infected persons live in fear since the disease has no cure. However, to be infected with
HIV does not mean one will die immediately. With support from the society and proper health
practices, an infected person can live for many years and achieve most of his or her goals.
Responsible citizens should support such people by providing them with love, food, clothes and
medicine
4. Refugees
Refugees are people who fle thet countries because of insecurity in their home countries. The
following are some of the reasons for their forced migration:
1. Political conflicts
2 Civilwars
3. Social conflicts
4. Drought or famine
5. Religious conflicts
6. Boonomic problems
Refugees lack such things as education, food and proper housing. Their families are also separated.
‘Tanzania has refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. We can also
help them by being kind to them and listening and talking to them.
5. People with disabilities
This group includes people with mental disabilities, those with hearing and speech difficulties, the
blind and physically disabled.
People with mental disabilities have below average intelligence. These people cannot perform
routine activities effectively on their own. They often have emotional and behavioral problems
‘Such people tend to isolate themselves and are generally depressed, The deaf are people who have
hearing problems. These people can carry out many activities which do not require hearing. They
can communicate through sign language. Some people cannot speak. They also communicate
through sign language. Blind people cannot see. They can be taught how to read using Braille
Physically disabled persons have problems with particular limbs, The limbs may be missing or may
‘not be functional. This hinders them ffom performing certain physical activities, such as working
‘We should help people with disabilities to perform tasks. For example we ean help the blind to
‘ross the road, We can push the wheel chars of those who can’t walk, We ean also read to those
who are blind
6. Women and children
‘This group is ignored in some communities. They are not given equal opportunities to participate in
<ecision making in their families or at higher levels. In some communities, women are not given
leadership postions. Some families donot allow gitl to go to school. In village, women work hard
{in farms but they may have no right to plan how to use the farm products. In towns women are used
prostitute or means of advertising products. The society need to assist this group of people to enjoy
their rights. This can be done by giving them responsibilities, allowing girls to goto school and
sive them equal chances at education and at employment.
‘The needs of the special groups
People in the special groups need specific assistance. They need various things for a comfortable
life just like everybody else. Some of their needs are outlined below:
1. Old people require basic needs like clothes, shelter, health services, food, water, and general
care, The community and relatives have a responsibility to take care ofthe elderly.
2 Street children need education, health services, water clothing, shelter, vocational training,
counseling and protection. The government and the society must ensure that these children are in
‘manner in which they become responsible citizens
3. People living with HIV/AIDS need love, counseling a balanced diet, medicine and
socialization
4. Refugees need education, food, health care food and shelter clothing and proper security
S. People with various disabilities need education, health care, food and shelter. They also need
treated just like normal people and given equal opportunities such as employment
6. Woman and children nced tobe treated fairly and tobe given equal opportunities inthe
societies. They need education to support thei lives. They need to be allowed to exercise thei legal
rights and freedom such as freedom of expression. Women should be allowed to participate in
economic activites without being harassed or intimidated by anyone,
Responsibilities toward special geoups
‘The duties of a good citizen toward people with special needs include:
|. _ Assisting these people by providing material and financial help.
2. Interacting with them, at home and in community meetings, and allowing them to express
their opinions and felings.
3. Showing them respect and understanding,
4. Providing education to all depending on their special needs.
5. Supporting them physically, for example when they are crossing roads.
6. Providing counseling and socialization.