Understanding the Civil Service
The civil service is a group of people who work for the government. Their main job is to help the government create and carry out policies (plans of action). They also provide public services that citizens need, like education, healthcare, and transport.
Key Points About the Civil Service
- Support for the Government: Civil servants help develop ideas and implement them. For example, if the government wants to improve schools, civil servants will work on plans to achieve this.
- Accountability: Civil servants report to government ministers. This means they must keep ministers informed and follow their directions.
- Merit-Based Selection: People become civil servants by applying for jobs. They are chosen based on their skills and qualifications, not on political connections. This is called merit-based selection.
- Political Neutrality: Civil servants do not take sides in politics. This means they do not support any political party. They must serve the government of the day, regardless of which party is in charge.
- Core Values: Civil servants follow important values:
- Integrity: Being honest and having strong moral principles.
- Honesty: Always telling the truth.
- Objectivity: Making decisions based on facts, not personal feelings.
- Impartiality: Treating everyone fairly and without bias.
Example
Imagine a civil servant working on a project to reduce traffic congestion in a city. They will study traffic patterns, gather data, and suggest changes to the road system. They must do this fairly and without letting political opinions affect their work.
Questions for Practice
Easy Level Questions
- Who do civil servants support?
- A) The King
- B) The Government
- C) The Public
- D) The Media
- How are civil servants chosen?
- A) By election
- B) By appointment from the Prime Minister
- C) By merit
- D) By lottery
- What does “politically neutral” mean?
- A) Supporting all parties
- B) Not supporting any political party
- C) Only working for the ruling party
- D) Voting in elections
- Which value means being truthful?
- A) Integrity
- B) Objectivity
- C) Honesty
- D) Impartiality
- What is one job of civil servants?
- A) Making laws
- B) Running for office
- C) Delivering public services
- D) Organising elections
- Who are civil servants accountable to?
- A) The Queen
- B) The Public
- C) Ministers
- D) The Media
- What is a core value of the civil service?
- A) Loyalty
- B) Honesty
- C) Popularity
- D) Wealth
- What is an example of a public service?
- A) A private school
- B) A shopping mall
- C) A public hospital
- D) A private gym
- Which is NOT a role of civil servants?
- A) Implementing policies
- B) Delivering public services
- C) Running for Prime Minister
- D) Supporting government decisions
- What should civil servants base their decisions on?
- A) Personal feelings
- B) Popular opinion
- C) Facts
- D) Gossip
Medium Level Questions
- What is the main purpose of the civil service?
- A) To run political campaigns
- B) To support government policies
- C) To represent citizens in Parliament
- D) To oversee elections
- Which of the following is true about civil servants?
- A) They can be politicians
- B) They are appointed by party leaders
- C) They work for the government of the day
- D) They can choose their own projects
- Which value ensures fair treatment?
- A) Integrity
- B) Objectivity
- C) Impartiality
- D) Honesty
- Civil servants must show commitment to what?
- A) Their political party
- B) The civil service and its values
- C) The media
- D) Their personal interests
- How can someone apply to be a civil servant?
- A) By being elected
- B) Through an application process
- C) By referral from a minister
- D) By winning a competition
- Which of the following reflects the value of objectivity?
- A) Favoring a friend’s proposal
- B) Basing decisions on research and evidence
- C) Listening to public opinion
- D) Following personal beliefs
- Why is political neutrality important for civil servants?
- A) To avoid criticism
- B) To ensure fairness and objectivity
- C) To gain public support
- D) To make political allies
- What happens if civil servants do not act with integrity?
- A) They get promoted
- B) They may lose their job
- C) They will be praised
- D) They will get a bonus
- What is an example of a civil service job?
- A) A member of Parliament
- B) A teacher in a public school
- C) A journalist
- D) A business owner
- Why must civil servants be accountable to ministers?
- A) To ensure transparency and responsibility
- B) To gain public trust
- C) To follow public opinion
- D) To maintain popularity
Hard Level Questions
- What is the main difference between civil servants and political appointees?
- A) Civil servants are elected, political appointees are not
- B) Civil servants are chosen based on merit, political appointees are not
- C) Political appointees must be qualified, civil servants do not
- D) Civil servants do not work with the public, political appointees do
- The principle of impartiality means that civil servants must:
- A) Favor certain groups
- B) Remain neutral and fair to all
- C) Support the ruling party
- D) Choose sides in political debates
- If a civil servant is found to be biased in their work, what could be a potential consequence?
- A) They could be promoted
- B) They could face disciplinary action
- C) They will be rewarded
- D) They will be given a bonus
- Which core value would a civil servant need to demonstrate when conducting research for a new policy?
- A) Honesty
- B) Integrity
- C) Objectivity
- D) Impartiality
- What is a fundamental duty of civil servants when a new government comes to power?
- A) To support the new government’s policies unconditionally
- B) To remain neutral and serve the new government without bias
- C) To run for office within the new government
- D) To resign and leave their jobs
- In what way do civil servants deliver public services?
- A) By making laws
- B) By providing direct services to the public
- C) By promoting political parties
- D) By conducting elections
- Why is it essential for civil servants to have a commitment to core values?
- A) To gain public popularity
- B) To ensure trust and effectiveness in government
- C) To earn higher salaries
- D) To avoid political involvement
- How can civil servants demonstrate integrity in their roles?
- A) By hiding information
- B) By always speaking the truth, even when it’s difficult
- C) By supporting their political party
- D) By prioritizing personal interests
- Which of the following best describes how civil servants help develop government policies?
- A) By creating laws
- B) By researching and providing data to inform decisions
- C) By running political campaigns
- D) By making speeches
- What role do civil servants play in ensuring public trust in government?
- A) They manage elections
- B) They act impartially and uphold core values
- C) They promote political parties
- D) They provide entertainment to the public
Answers and Explanations
Easy Level Answers
- B) The Government
- C) By merit
- B) Not supporting any political party
- C) Honesty
- C) Delivering public services
- C) Ministers
- B) Honesty
- C) A public hospital
- C) Running for Prime Minister
- C) Facts
Medium Level Answers
- B) To support government policies
- C) They work for the government of the day
- C) Impartiality
- B) The civil service and its values
- B) Through an application process
- B) Basing decisions on research and evidence
- B) To ensure fairness and objectivity
- B) They may lose their job
- B) A teacher in a public school
- A) To ensure transparency and responsibility
Hard Level Answers
- B) Civil servants are chosen based on merit, political appointees are not
- B) Remain neutral and fair to all
- B) They could face disciplinary action
- C) Objectivity
- B) To remain neutral and serve the new government without bias
- B) By providing direct services to the public
- B) To ensure trust and effectiveness in government
- B) By always speaking the truth, even when it’s difficult
- B) By researching and providing data to inform decisions
- B) They act impartially and uphold core values
