Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 1

Term: 2^nd Term

Week: 11

Class: Senior Secondary School 1

Age: 15 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 2 periods each

Date:       

Subject:      Government

Topic:-       Separation of powers

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to

1. Explain separation of powers
2. Give reasons for the separation of powers
3. Discuss the relationship between separation of powers and checks and balances

 INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES: Identification, explanation, questions and answers, demonstration, videos from source

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

NOTE

SEPARATION OF POWERS

Separation of powers is a principle in government which is defined as the

division of governmental political powers that exist in any given states into

three organs of government.

The principle of separation of powers states that not only should the three

arms of government (namely the executive, legislature and the judiciary) be

separated but also their functions should be performed by different persons

or a body of persons. For example, a member of the legislature should not

simultaneously be a minister, nor should a judge hold a cabinet post. The

doctrine of separation of powers was popularized by Montesquieu in his

book Espirit de Lois in 1748. The doctrine is designed to check the abuse

of power by government operators.

Purpose/Reasons for Separation of Powers

Seperation of powers is necessary for the following reasons:

1. To prevent dictatorship and tyranny in the government
2. To protect and preserve the fundamental human rights of the citizens
3. To promote the application of the rule of law
4. Reduction in the workload of each organ of government
5. Division of labour and specialization among the organs of government
6. It ensures political stability.
7. It promotes efficiency.

CHECKS AND BALANCES

Checks and balances refer to that arrangement whereby an arm

of government supervises and checks another arm of government against

any possible abuse of power. They act as watchdog of each other.

According to Jefferson, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts

absolutely”

Relationship between Separation of Powers and Checks and

Balances

Separation of powers is different from checks and balances but they

complement each other. Separation of powers implies division of political or

constitutional powers among the organs of government. On the other hand,

checks and balances exercises check on the powers of these organs.

The two principles relate in the sense that, the existence of checks and

balances ensures that the purpose of the separation of powers is fulfilled

and ensure that none of the organs of government uses the advantages of

this principle to exercise excessive power which may lead to dictatorship

and oppression in the country.

The principle of checks and balances is to mitigate those negative effects

associated with separation of powers. The two principles are applicable to

both parliamentary and presidential system of government.

EVALUATION:    1. Define separation of powers

2. Give four reasons for the separation of powers
3. What is the relationship between separation of powers and checks and balances?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively