Civic Education Paper 2 May/June

Question 6

(a)        Explain three reasons students join cults.
(b)        State three government policies on cultism.

Observation

This question was the most popular and best attempted in the paper. The performance of most candidates who answered it was good as they really understood its demands. However, some candidates did not do well in the (b) part and they scored low marks as they did not understand the difference between government policies on ground and their offered answers which dwelt on suggestions on what should be done by government. The candidates were expected to provide the following answers to the question:

(a)       

  1. Position seeking.
  2. Popularity.
  3. False impression/ignorance.
  4. Negative peer pressure.
  5. Fear and timidity.
  6. Family background.
  7. Hardship/lack of parental care.
  8. Sense of security.
  9. Social identity.
  10. Academic success.
  11. Curiosity.
  12. Injustice.
  13. Watching crime-related films/videos.
  14. Fear of the future/unknown.
  15. Get-rich-quick syndrome.
  16. Support from politicians and some members of staff of schools and colleges.
  17. Deception.
  18. Coercion/intimidation/extortion.
  19. Promise of employment.
  20. Frustration.
  21. Low self-esteem/inferiority complex.

(b)       

  1. Enacting enabling laws proscribing cultism and other secret societies.
  2. Newly admitted students are made to take oath not to belong to any secret cult.
  3. Expulsion of any student found to be member of secret cult from campus.
  4. Prosecution and sentencing to jail terms of those found guilty of any cult-related activities.
  5. Public enlightenment campaign against cultism.
  6. Constitutional provisions prohibiting members of secret societies from holding public offices.
  7. Public renunciation of membership of secret societies/cults is encouraged by government.
  8. Introduction of civic education to educate citizens on social vices and other immoral behaviour associated with cultism in schools.
  9. Government enhanced security presence in schools and colleges.