Subject: Social Studies Type of Lesson: Web search, concept development,

Grade: 10 CSEC OBJ: Describe the structure of Government

(Section A, # 22)

Term: 2 Unit Number # 1 - Government

and Title:

Duration: 35 minutes Week Number: 6

Lesson Number # 20 The Role of the Civil Service

and Title:

Objectives
As a result of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1) define the terms civil servant and civil service.
2) explain the functions of the Civil service.
3) develop sensitivity to the functions of the Civil Service.
4) assess the importance of intended reforms of the Jamaican civil
service.

Prerequisite Student Knowledge

The student should be familiar with:
1) the composition, structure and functions of the executive.
2) the functions of Government.

Important Points
1) The Civil Service refers to a group of employed officials who are
responsible for implementing and guaranteeing government
policies
a. Each ministry comprises a permanent secretary (a
senior Civil Servant) and junior Civil Servants.
2) The Civil Service
a. Uses their knowledge and skills to assist the relevant
ministers in implementing policies and programmes;
b. Monitors the implementation of these policies;
c. Communicates with the citizens as in order to keep
them informed and help them to understand what the
government is doing.

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 3) Civil Servants are expected to be politically impartial in the
execution of their duties. Likewise, they are supposed to be
employed on non-partisan terms. This is so as they are expected to
serve whoever forms the government of the day.
4) The public tends to have negative perceptions of the Civil Service
due partially to the bureaucratic nature (Many rules and procedures
usually considered time consuming to the consumer) of the service.
They are often seen as inefficient and wasteful.
5) The Jamaica Civil Services Association was founded in 1919
under the leadership of Walter M. Fraser. Today, the Association
represents about 20,000 civil servants (government employees who
work with Ministries, statutory organizations, and executive
agencies).

Key Terms

Civil service Civil Servants Ministry

Permanent Secretary Executive Agencies Statutory Bodies

Challenge Areas
Reform of the Civil Service
http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/29303

The website above summarises the intended reforms of the civil

service in Jamaica. Read the article carefully.
i. Explain the intended reforms of the civil service;
ii. Suggest why you think three of these specific measures will
work;
iii. Suggest why you think three of these specific measures will not
work
iv. Explain why an efficient and effective Civil Service is
important to Jamaica and its government.

Equipment/Materials Needed
Multimedia Projector, Computer with Internet connectivity and
Microsoft office

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Note to Teacher
There is a tendency to negatively stereo type the Civil service even
though many are not sure what constitutes it. Be mindful of these
predispositions and try to be objective during class discussions.

Teachers Lesson Notes

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Introduction
1) Introductory Activity

Figure 20.1: Perceptions of the Civil Service

Notes
Be prepared to
explain what is a. Project the pictures above and ask the students to examine
meant by red tape. each carefully. Ask the students the following question
See explanation
for bureaucracy in
based on them.
the important i. What does each picture say about the work ethic of
points above. the staff involved?
ii. Which of the pictures show the effect of what
Jamaicans call red tape?

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 iii. What are the common themes presented in the
pictures?
iv. Which of the above shortcomings implied above
have you ever seen or heard being applied to the
civil service in your country?
v. For the shortcomings selected, why do you think
these are associated with the Jamaican civil service?

2) What does the Civil Service do?

a. After asking the above questions, ask the students if they

know exactly what the civil service is. Ask them to list the
persons they believe make up the civil service and record
them on the board.

b. Next direct the students to the following website.

i. They will examine the definition of the civil
service, record it and use it to determine accuracy of
the list generated on the board.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/civil+service (See
all the information on this page.)
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/civil+service

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/archive/2516-
finance_planning-jcsa-has-achieved-much-jones (Pay
attention to the final paragraph)

http://mirror.undp.org/magnet/Docs/psreform/civil_service
_reform_in_jamaica.htm (Pay attention to sections 1.1 and
1.2 of the article.)

As the list is reviewed and corrected, emphasize the fact

that the armed forces are not included; the service employs
persons based on merit; and their primary purpose is to aid
the executive in implementing and monitoring its policies.

Now note that ideally, because of who they are, none of

stereotypes identified above should be associated with the
civil service.

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 Figure 20 .2: The Civil Service

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSiyL-
myM7wY1y5FCjRFSYJDBQGmJxTW7IkLVz6E-b-
fsqNwPtO

i. Instruct the students to use the relevant words from

the word cloud above to define who a civil servant
is. And
ii. Write a sentence using at least three of the words to
describe what the civil service should be like.

Body of Lesson
1) Who constitute the Civil Service?
a. The JSCA which represents civil servants notes that the
Association represents an estimated 20,000 civil servants,
including government employees who work with
Ministries, statutory organizations, and executive agencies.
b. Instruct the students to do a web search in order to define
and find examples of the following:
i. Government Ministries
ii. Statutory organizations
iii. Executive agencies

Below are some recommended sites for the students to use.

http://www.jis.gov.jm/agencies/executive

http://www.getjamaica.com/Jamaican%20Executive%20Ag
encies.asp
http://www.treasury.qld.gov.au/office/knowledge/docs/stat
utory-body-guide/statutory-body-guide-sheet-1.pdf

http://www.congenjamaica-ny.org/government_ministries/

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 iv. Instruct the students to use the information to fill
out the appropriate sections of the concept map
below. (See PowerPoint slide)

Figure 20.3: Concept Map

c. Allow the students to revisit the list of civil servants

compiled in the introductory activity and refine it based on
the information in the concept map.
Expected answers:
Executive agencies
Semi-autonomous bodies (although fully owned by the
government, they must see to their own management and
performance. Their purpose is to enhance the efficiency of
the government by placing some responsibilities into
specialized hands. Examples include the JIS, National Land
Agency, Passport and Immigration and Citizenship
Agency, the RGD, National Works Agency and the
National Environment and Planning Agency.
Statutory Bodies
This is a body established by the government to perform
tasks it feels may be better performed outside of a regular
government ministry. Examples include the Jamaica Fire
Brigade, the Jamaica Constabulary Force and Jampress.
Government Ministries
These are departments established within the Executive
which monitor specific aspects of the nations business
such as education and agriculture. Importantly, each is
assisted by a set of civil servants including a permanent

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 secretary and his/her staff. An example is the Ministry of
Agriculture.

2) What is the role of the Civil Service?

Figure 20.4: Role of the Civil Service

a. Project the image above on the board and ask the students
to examine it carefully. The heading suggests that
something is missing. Instruct the students to figure out
i. The process they think is being displayed
Expected answer: The process is essentially the
planning process.
ii. The arm of government being represented around
the table
Expected answer: The arm of government here
would be the Executive which initiates policies and
programmes for the government.
iii. The problem and solution identified
Expected answer: The problem pertains to garbage
disposal in an area. The solution centres on the
collection of garbage using trucks or (more trucks)
in the area.
iv. The missing link in the process
Expected answer: The missing link is the
implementing body (the civil service).
v. The impact of the missing link.
Expected answer: The impact is that the public
remains uninformed, the solution is not
implemented and no change has been made despite
the design of a policy solution.

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 b. Discuss the students observations based on the above.

c. Instruct the students to use their textbooks to further

explore the roles of the civil service.
d. Allow individual students to share and explain specific
roles of the civil service. Evaluate the explanations and
make clarifications where necessary. Students should be
What do you instructed to make corrections in their notebooks where
think? necessary as well.
Select, delete this
text and start typing i. A student writer can be appointed to record the
questions to the information on the board or in a powerpoint
student, tying in the presentation.
narrative to the right,
concerning factual Expected answer:
information or See Important Points for roles of the Civil Service.
attitude

Closure
In Class Assignment
1) Non-partisan attitudes are very important in the civil service. In
groups assigned by your teacher write the script of a short drama
piece or design a comic strip that shows both the importance of the
civil service and the need for non-partisan attitudes in the Jamaican
civil service.

Supplemental
Out-of-Class Assignment
1) Visit the following websites and carefully examine their contents.
Use the information to complete the tasks below.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Civil-servant-guidelines-
impeding-polygraph-testing-of-warders_11812711

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120127/lead/lead3.html

a. Describe the problems associated with the Jamaican Civil

Service mentioned in the article;
b. Identify at least three other problems associated with Jamaicas
civil service;
c. Explain two ways in which these problems affect the image the
public has of the Jamaican civil service;

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 d. For any one of the problems stated in the article, suggest one
strategy that can be used to deal with that problem and say why
you think it will work.
Expected answers:
a. Shortage of resources
b. Procedures and rules which hamper efficiency in terms of time
and money
c. Implied is lack of expertise or efficiency on the part of
technocrats in the civil service (debatable)
d. Bombardment from the related ministers of government (who
are not necessarily experts in the field)

Glossary of Terms

Civil Service The Civil Service refers to the body of officials

who assist in executing the roles of the Executive
under the direction and supervision of the head
of government (Rahman 1998, 2).

Civil Servant A civil servant is an official who carries out

functions of government under the direction and
supervision of the head of government.
(Rahman 1998, 2)

Ministry A ministry is a department of government

headed by a minister and responsible for a
specific aspect of public administration such as
health or education.

Permanent A permanent secretary is the most senior civil

Secretary servant in a ministry.

Executive This is a semi-autonomous government agency;

Agencies this means that while it is still a part of
government, it has significant authority in
managing itself. Examples include NEPA and
the JIS.

Statutory Bodies This is a government own body that was

established by statute for a particular purpose
and which is autonomous and manages its own
finances. For example, the Fire Brigade.

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CSEC (type) Questions
1) The Civil Service is a major link between the Executive and the
public.
a. Define the following terms:
i. Civil service
ii. Executive agency 4 marks
b. State two expectations of civil servants. 2 marks
c. Explain why meeting any ONE of the expectations
stated above is important. 2 marks
d. Suggest THREE strategies for ensuring nonpartisan
attitudes in the civil service. 6 marks
e. Explain why each of the strategies suggested above will
work. 6 marks
Total 20 marks

Recommended Materials
http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/archive/19545-finance_planning-jamaica-
civil-service-association-celebrates-9-years
http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/archive/2516-finance_planning-jcsa-has-
achieved-much-jones
Bibliography
Brathwaite, S., Reynolds, P. (2004). Social Studies CSEC self study
and Distance Learning. Caribbean Examinations Council

Ruddock, L. C. and Robinson-Glanville, S. (1977). New Civics for

Young Jamaicans. Jamaica, Carlong Publishers.

Sandy, M. C., Grayson, S. C. (2004). Social Studies Essentials with

SBA, Study Guide and Exercises. Kingston: Carlong Publishers

Source:
Perceptions of the Civil Service
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mKAYhkWFeHs/TLA9FH3oocI/AAAAAA
AAFpQ/kNCMdjuHLJU/s1600/CivilService-sm.jpg
http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRWPjGMSMl4O0f-
w6JLZLvQ3Li0uhGWVN8HK4DNkFgIfdf0c--k
http://www.toonpool.com/user/10926/files/strike_1_1235015.jpg
http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/nju/lowres/nju
n87l.jpg

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRi0ReVQdtPmVpxPWvo
kKdlKvLB7CrDRaPjmZqK9ZNd1CypGJrBWw

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http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSzgkt3hEmqQuwLdBPzG
H4gvu16mGrC6ux_zTx7KykmFvRe1YLn
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNVvArg4TKlxokEUI0
DjnQoxvru1M-548NEJ6x-o1Qo129rBzTJQ

What does the Civil Service do?

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0EodaYtqevU/TMun5XOj03I/AAAAAAA
AAIU/lzrnWelQjgc/s1600/group-discussion.jpg
http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtH2qhmU_-
Uj3pFicInre0DS2g5bTBhD0n87UTmD_Mi8-B3MPRRw
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRp22_MGVmwk_XOubl
DNYA9dsSDB6Jn6aRVBKC5qF42A9lff6eX7A
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQZ3_CUy4bZJCguXO2q
WL3o-rYJTzBkONaof90uZsRZJNvvy9WZ

Word Picture Civil Service

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSiyL-
myM7wY1y5FCjRFSYJDBQGmJxTW7IkLVz6E-b-fsqNwPtO

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