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PRIMARY 4: SOCIAL STUDIES – THIRD TERM | WEEK 1

Updated April 6, 2026Primary 4, Social Studies, Third Term

TOPIC: EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND SELF-EMPLOYMENT

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

  1. Pictures of people doing different jobs.
  2. Occupational flashcards.
  3. Charts showing employed and self-employed persons.
  4. Pictures of small businesses.
  5. Pupils’ writing books and pencils.

B: REFERENCE MATERIALS

  1. Scheme of work.
  2. Recommended Social Studies textbook for Primary 4.
  3. Online educational resources.

C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

The pupils have learnt that people work in different occupations in order to earn income and support themselves and their families.

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

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

  1. Define employment.
  2. Define unemployment.
  3. Define self-employment.
  4. Mention reasons people work.
  5. State causes of unemployment.
  6. State effects of unemployment.
  7. Give examples of self-employment.
  8. Mention ways of reducing unemployment.

E: CONTENT

Meaning of Employment

Employment is work that a person does in order to earn income. A person who has a job is said to be employed. Examples of employed persons include:

  • Teacher.
  • Nurse.
  • Police officer.
  • Driver.
  • Banker.
  • Engineer.

Meaning of Unemployment

Unemployment is the condition in which a person who is able and willing to work does not have a job.

Reasons People Work

People work in order to:

  1. Earn money.
  2. Provide food.
  3. Pay school fees.
  4. Pay for shelter.
  5. Meet family needs.
  6. Develop useful skills.
  7. Contribute to society.

Causes of Unemployment

Unemployment may be caused by:

  1. Lack of job opportunities.
  2. Lack of useful skills.
  3. Poor education.
  4. Closure of businesses.
  5. Economic difficulties.
  6. Rapid increase in the number of job seekers.

Effects of Unemployment

Unemployment may lead to:

  1. Poverty.
  2. Hunger.
  3. Dependence on others.
  4. Frustration.
  5. Crime in some cases.
  6. Slow economic development.

Meaning of Self-Employment

Self-employment means working for oneself instead of working for another person or organisation. Examples include:

  • Farming.
  • Tailoring.
  • Hairdressing.
  • Carpentry.
  • Catering.
  • Trading.
  • Repair services.

Ways of Reducing Unemployment

Unemployment can be reduced through:

  1. Good education.
  2. Skill acquisition.
  3. Vocational training.
  4. Entrepreneurship.
  5. Support for small businesses.
  6. Agricultural development.
  7. Creation of more job opportunities.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

  1. Displays pictures of different workers.
  2. Explains employment.
  3. Explains unemployment.
  4. Introduces self-employment.
  5. Discusses causes and effects of unemployment.
  6. Gives examples of self-employed persons.
  7. Discusses ways of reducing unemployment.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

  1. Identify workers from pictures.
  2. Define employment.
  3. Define unemployment.
  4. Define self-employment.
  5. Mention causes of unemployment.
  6. State effects of unemployment.
  7. Give examples of self-employment.
  8. Suggest ways of reducing unemployment.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises the meanings of employment, unemployment and self-employment. The teacher encourages pupils to value education, useful skills and honest work.

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

  1. What is employment?
  2. What is unemployment?
  3. What is self-employment?
  4. Mention four reasons people work.
  5. State four causes of unemployment.
  6. Mention four effects of unemployment.
  7. Give four examples of self-employment.
  8. Mention four ways of reducing unemployment.