Employment and Unemployment: Meaning of Employment and Unemployment, Causes of Unemployment | Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 8 Social Studies

EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT: MEANING OF ENVIRONMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT, CAUSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT 

SOCIAL STUDIES

PRIMARY 5 – SECOND TERM – WEEK 8

THEME – NATIONAL VALUES EDUCATION 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Resource Distribution: Meaning and Types of Resources, Reasons Resources Are Not Evenly Distributed, Problems of Over-Concentration of Industries and Ways of Ensuring Even Distribution of Resources | Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 6 Social Studies

TOPIC – EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT 

LEARNING AREA 

1. Introduction

2. Meaning and Examples of Employment

3. Meaning, Causes and Effects of Unemployment

4. Ways of Reducing Unemployment

5. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

6. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. Explain the meaning of employment.

2. Explain the meaning of unemployment.

3. Give at least four examples of employment.

4. Mention at least five causes of unemployment.

5. State at least three effects of unemployment.

6. Mention at least four ways of reducing unemployment.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about resource development, sources and uses of funds, and resource distribution.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by helping pupils understand how resources, businesses, skills, and industries can provide employment opportunities for people.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Pictures of people doing different jobs

2. Pictures of farmers, teachers, traders, artisans, and office workers

3. Pictures of businesses and industries

4. Charts showing causes of unemployment

5. Flashcards

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

People need work to earn money and meet their basic needs. Many people work as teachers, farmers, traders, drivers, doctors, and artisans.

Employment means having a job or doing lawful work to earn money. However, some people are willing and able to work but cannot find suitable jobs. This is called unemployment.

In this lesson, pupils will learn about the meaning of employment and unemployment and the causes of unemployment.

LESSON 1 – MEANING OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment means having a job or doing lawful work to earn money.

A person who works as a teacher, farmer, trader, doctor, driver, or artisan can be employed.

EXAMPLES OF EMPLOYMENT

• Teaching in a school

• Farming

• Trading

• Driving

• Tailoring

• Carpentry

• Working in an office

LESSON 2 – MEANING OF UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment means being willing and able to work but not having a suitable job.

An unemployed person may have the skills and ability to work but cannot find a job.

CAUSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT

Some major causes of unemployment include:

1. Lack of Job Opportunities – There may not be enough jobs available for everyone looking for work.

2. Lack of Skills – People who do not have the skills required for available jobs may find it difficult to get employment.

3. Lack of Education and Training – Limited education or training can reduce a person’s chances of getting suitable employment.

4. Rapid Population Growth – When the number of people looking for jobs increases faster than the number of available jobs, unemployment may increase.

5. Closure of Businesses – When businesses close down, workers may lose their jobs.

6. Poor Economic Conditions – When businesses and industries are not doing well, they may employ fewer workers.

7. Lack of Industries – Areas with few industries and businesses may have fewer employment opportunities.

8. Lack of Capital – People may have useful skills but lack money to start small businesses or other income-generating activities.

9. Poor Transportation and Infrastructure – Poor roads, electricity, and other facilities can make it difficult for businesses to operate and create jobs.

10. Relocation of Businesses – When businesses move away from an area, some workers may lose their jobs.

LESSON 3 – EFFECTS OF UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment can lead to:

1. Lack of income

2. Poverty

3. Difficulty meeting basic needs

4. Increased dependence on others

5. Loss of useful skills

6. Increased social problems

7. Reduced economic development

WAYS OF REDUCING UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployment can be reduced by:

1. Providing quality education and vocational training.

2. Encouraging people to learn useful skills.

3. Supporting small businesses.

4. Establishing more industries and businesses.

5. Providing electricity, roads, and other infrastructure.

6. Providing access to affordable capital for legitimate businesses.

7. Encouraging entrepreneurship.

8. Creating more job opportunities in different communities.

ON A FINAL NOTE

• Employment means having a job or doing lawful work to earn money, while unemployment means being willing and able to work but not having a suitable job.

• Unemployment can be caused by lack of jobs, lack of skills, poor economic conditions, closure of businesses, rapid population growth, and lack of industries.

• Providing skills training, supporting businesses, and creating more job opportunities can help reduce unemployment.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT 

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Employment means ______.

A. staying at home without work

B. refusing to work

C. wasting money

D. having a job or doing lawful work to earn money

2. Unemployment means ______.

A. having a good job

B. being willing and able to work but not having a suitable job

C. starting a business

D. working on a farm

3. Which of the following is an example of employment? 

A. Wasting time

B. Sleeping

C. Loitering

D. Teaching

4. Which of the following can cause unemployment?

A. Lack of job opportunities

B. Regular employment

C. Good skills

D. Business growth

5. Which of the following can help reduce unemployment?

A. Destroying industries

B. Closing businesses

C. Providing skills training

D. Discouraging entrepreneurship

B. Fill in the Gaps

Options – unemployment, job, skills, employment, industries

6. Having lawful work to earn money is called __________.

7. Being willing and able to work but not having a suitable job is called __________.

8. Learning useful __________ can improve a person’s chances of getting a job.

9. More __________ and businesses can create employment opportunities.

10. A person who works as a teacher has a __________.

C. True or False

11. Employment helps people earn income. __________

12. Unemployment means having a suitable job. __________

13. Lack of skills can contribute to unemployment. __________

14. Closure of businesses can cause people to gain more jobs. __________

15. Establishing more businesses can help increase unemployment. __________

D. Matching

16. Employment – A. Lack of suitable jobs

17. Unemployment – B. Having lawful work

18. Lack of skills – C. Can make getting a job difficult

19. Business closure – D. Can cause workers to lose their jobs

20. Skills training – E. Can improve employment opportunities

ANSWER KEY

1. D 2. B 3. D 4. A 5. C

6. employment

7. unemployment

8. skills

9. industries

10. job

11. True

12. False

13. True

14. False

15. False

16. B – Having lawful work

17. A – Lack of suitable jobs

18. C – Can make getting a job difficult

19. D – Can cause workers to lose their jobs

10. E – Can improve employment opportunities

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that employment means having a job or doing lawful work to earn money, while unemployment means being willing and able to work but not having a suitable job.

They learned that examples of employment include teaching, farming, trading, driving, tailoring, carpentry, and office work.

Pupils also learned that unemployment can be caused by lack of job opportunities, lack of skills, poor education and training, rapid population growth, closure of businesses, poor economic conditions, lack of industries, and lack of capital.

They learned that unemployment can lead to poverty, lack of income, difficulty meeting basic needs, and other social proble ms.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

The teacher asks pupils:

• What work do your parents or guardians do?

• Why do people work?

• What do people receive for doing a job?

• What happens when a person wants to work but cannot find a job?

The teacher explains that people work to earn money and meet their needs. People may work as teachers, farmers, traders, drivers, doctors, artisans, or office workers.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention different jobs they know and state why people work.

Step 2: Meaning of Employment

The teacher explains that employment means having a job or doing lawful work to earn money.

Examples of employment include:

• Teaching

• Farming

• Trading

• Driving

• Tailoring

• Carpentry

• Working in an office

• Working as a doctor

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention the jobs of people they know and identify them as examples of employment.

Step 3: Meaning of Unemployment

The teacher explains that unemployment means being willing and able to work but not having a suitable job.

• Example: A person who has the ability to work and is looking for a job but cannot find one is unemployed.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils explain unemployment in their own words and give simple examples.

Step 4: Difference Between Employment and Unemployment

The teacher explains:

• Employment means having a job or doing lawful work.

• Unemployment means being willing and able to work but not having a suitable job.

• Example: A teacher who works in a school is employed, while a qualified person who is looking for work but cannot find a suitable job is unemployed.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils state the difference between employment and unemployment.

Step 5: Causes of Unemployment

The teacher explains that unemployment can be caused by:

• Lack of job opportunities: There may not be enough jobs for everyone looking for work.

• Lack of skills: People without useful skills may find it difficult to get jobs.

• Lack of education and training: Limited education or training can reduce employment opportunities.

• Rapid population growth: More people may be looking for jobs than the number of available jobs.

• Closure of businesses: Workers may lose their jobs when businesses close.

• Poor economic conditions: Businesses may employ fewer workers when the economy is not doing well.

• Lack of industries: Areas with few industries may have fewer job opportunities.

• Lack of capital: People may have skills but lack money to start small businesses.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention some causes of unemployment and discuss how they affect people.

Step 6: Effects of Unemployment

The teacher explains that unemployment can lead to:

• Lack of income

• Poverty

• Difficulty meeting basic needs

• Dependence on others

• Loss of useful skills

• Social problems

• Slow economic development

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss some difficulties an unemployed person may face.

Step 7: Ways of Reducing Unemployment

The teacher explains that unemployment can be reduced by:

• Providing quality education and skills training.

• Encouraging people to learn useful skills.

• Supporting small businesses.

• Establishing more industries and businesses.

• Providing good roads, electricity, and other infrastructure.

• Providing access to affordable capital for legitimate businesses.

• Encouraging entrepreneurship.

• Creating job opportunities in different communities.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention skills or businesses that can help people earn a living.

Step 8: Group Activity

The teacher divides pupils into four groups.

• Group 1: Explain employment and give five examples.

• Group 2: Explain unemployment and give two examples.

• Group 3: Mention six causes of unemployment.

• Group 4: Mention five ways of reducing unemployment.

Each group presents its answers to the class.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss, write, and present their answers.

Step 9: Lesson Summary

The teacher reviews the main points of the lesson, including the meaning of employment and unemployment, examples of employment, causes and effects of unemployment, and ways of reducing unemployment.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer oral questions and summarise what they have learned.

Step 10: Evaluation

The teacher gives pupils a different set of 20 questions as oral questions, a quiz, take-home work, or a quick test to assess their understanding.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions individually or in groups.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Wages and Income: Meaning of Wages and Salary and Why Some People Earn Higher Salaries Than Others | Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 9 Social Studies

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils to,

1. What is employment?

2. What is unemployment?

3. Mention four examples of employment.

4. State five causes of unemployment.

5. Mention three effects of unemployment.

6. State four ways of reducing unemployment.