Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary School 1

SUBJECT: GOVERNMENT � ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� ��� �

CLASS: SS 1

TERM: 2ND TERM

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WEEK FOUR

TOPIC: CONSTITUTION

CONTENT:

• Definition, Sources and Features of Constitution

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Definition: A constitution may be defined as a whole body of fundamental laws, customs, conventions, principles, rules and regulations according to which a particular government of a country or an organization is governed. The constitution therefore specifies the work and functions of a government or organization, the functions of its officials, the rights and duties of its citizens or members.

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SOURCES OF CONSTITUTION

The following are the sources of any given constitution.

• Past experiences: The historical, social, economic, geographical and historical experiences of a country serve as a major source of its constitution.
• Acts of Parliament: These are bills passed into law in the parliament. They also form parts of the constitution.
• Decrees: These are laws made by military government in many countries.
• Judicial precedence: These are previous and important judgments made or passed in higher courts like Supreme Court.
• Customs and Norms: These are practices and observances that are not written down as part of the constitution but are accepted as part of the way the government functions.
• Conventions: These are precepts or rules and guides for behaviour that are not written down with which the people show their disapproval when violated.
• Constitutional Conferences: Such constitutional conference that were held in London and West Africa before granting independence to Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra-Leone and the Gambia.
• International Laws: These are laws that are made by international organizations like UNO International Civil Aviation Convention. All serves as sources of constitution.
• History of the People: Historical documents such as treaties, the Magna Carta 1215, Bill of Rights 1689 in Britain serve as the sources of their constitution.
• Intellectual Works: Works of intellectuals such as Locke, Marx, Hobbes, Dicey and others are used for drafting of constitution.

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EVALUATION QUESTION

• Define constitution
• Mention 6 sources of constitution.

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FEATURES OF CONSTITUTION

• ThePreamble: The constitution has a preamble or an introduction which states the ideological stand of the constitution.
• The Political Structure: It states the structure of government, whether unitary or federal and at the same time defines the division of powers among the component units of the state.
• The onstitution names the organs of government and specifies their functions and relations to one another.
• It maintains political stability by specifying the mode of changing the government peacefully.
• It stipulates the rights and duties of citizens.
• It protects the rights and liberties of individuals in a country.
• The constitution states how long a government can stay in office.
• The constitution states the process by which it can be amended.
• A constitution prevents leaders from becoming too powerful and dictatorial.
• A constitution serves as a symbol of nationhood and sovereignty.

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EVALUATION QUESTION

• Mention 5 features of constitution.

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GENERAL EVALUATION/REVISION QUESTIONS

1. Explain the following terms; (i) Acts of parliament (ii) Preamble (iii) Judicial precedents
2. List and explain the sources of a constitution.
3. Highlight 5 features of a constitution.
4. List and explain 5 features of government.
5. Give 5 reasons why we study government.

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WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1. A constitution can best be described as A. a general book of laws B. the fundamental laws to guide the government of a state C. the compiled laws of a stateD. principles of the society
2. A constitution must have A. a frame B.a preamble C. lessons to learn D. conclusion
3. All are the sources of a constitution except A. historical documents B. intellectual works C. sources of income D. customs and traditions�
4. A constitution specifies the A. religious belief of the people B. state of mind C. modus operandi D. movement of people
5. The essence of the constitution is to A. safeguard the rights and freedom of the citizens B. suppress the views of the minority groups C. encourage military intervention in politics D.encourage dictatorship

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THEORY

1. Explain the sources of a constitution
2. Mention the characteristics of a constitution.

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READING ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC: Types of constitution

Comprehensive Government pages 55-60.

Essential Government pages 53-60.

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