Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term - Senior Secondary 1

Constitutionalism

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Term: 2nd Term

Week: 8

Class: Senior Secondary School 1

Age: 15 years

Duration: 40 minutes of 2 periods each

Date:       

Subject:      Government

Topic:-       Constitutionalism

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

  1. Define constitutionalism
  2. State the elements of constitutionalism
  3. Outline the importance of constitutionalism
  4. Discuss the relationship between constitution and constitutionalism

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

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS: Videos, loud speaker, textbook, pictures

INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES

PERIOD 1-2

PRESENTATION

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY

STUDENT’S ACTIVITY

STEP 1

INTRODUCTION

The teacher reviews the previous lesson on the types of constitution

Students pay attention

STEP 2

EXPLANATION

He explains the meaning of constitutionalism and states its elements

 

Students pay attention and participates

STEP 3

DEMONSTRATION

He outlines the importance of constitutionalism. He further discusses the relationship between constitution and constitutionalism

Students pay attention and participate

STEP 4

NOTE TAKING

The teacher writes a summarized note on the board

The students copy the note in their books

 

NOTE

CONSTITUTIONALISM

Constitutionalism means that the power of government should be defined

and limited by the dictates of the body of the fundamental laws of the land

known as the constitution. That is actions and activities of government and

its officials should be in line with the provisions of the constitution. It states

that nobody is above the law no matter how highly placed.

 

PRINCIPLES OF CONSTITUTIONALISM

The following are the principles of constitutionalism.

  1. There is equality before the law.
  2. Every adult has the right to vote and be voted for during elections.
  3. The fundamental human rights of the people are guaranteed.
  4. The government has absolute power through the process of law.

 

ELEMENTS OF CONSTITUTIONALISM

1. Sovereignty

It initiates that the government is free from any bias from any particular

authority. In short, it ensures the government is of the people, by the

people, for the people. 

2. Supremacy of the Constitution and Rule of Law

It denotes the country is run through rules, not authority or powers. No one

can decide the governance except the laws and regulations which have

been already stated.

3. Political Democracy

In a democracy, individual rights and equality should be protected. It

declares equal rights to all the individuals within the country.

4. Representative-limited Government 

It declares the representatives are selected through a proper election

process by the people. They elect representatives for their welfare, so they

should be accountable and answerable to the general public for their

actions.

5. Separation of Power 

It divides the whole power into three branches, i.e., Executive, Legislative,

and Judiciary. This helps keep checks and balances in each area

separately and in a better way.

6. Civilian Control of the Military Force

It denotes that the Civilian government should control the Military force in

such a way that the Military cannot have any way to interfere in the

democratic decision-making process of the country.

7. Police Governed by Law and Judicial Control

It ensures the Police power should be judged by the Law and Judicial

control. Police have no right to harm the dignity of the people.

8. An Independent Judiciary

The independence of the Judiciary system ensures the freedom of the

democratic power in India. It means that the government is free to run the

country if the laws support it.

 

IMPORTANCE OF CONSTITUTIONALISM

  1. It is a set of norms that prevents the state from abusing its power
  2. It ensures that the people have liberty and get justice which is crucial for a democratic country such as India
  3. It ensures proper governance within the country or state as it puts restrictions on the overuse of state power, thereby protecting the rights of the democracy
  4. It helps in the better development and welfare in the developing countries as it denotes equal rights for all
  5. It ensures that the state is based on specific rules and guidelines, which states every person has the right to human dignity

 

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONSTITUTION AND CONSTITUTIONALISM

The key Difference between Constitution and Constitutionalism is that

Constitution describes the documented laws and regulations, while

Constitutionalism is the behaviour that encourages better government

and limits the overuse of powers by working for the welfare of society.

EVALUATION:    1. Define constitutionalism

  1. Discuss four elements of constitutionalism
  2. State three importance of constitutionalism
  3. What is the relationship between the constitution and constitutionalism?

CLASSWORK: As in evaluation

CONCLUSION: The teacher commends the students positively