The SSS 1 Government Scheme of Work for the second term provides a structured curriculum aimed at teaching students the foundational concepts of governance. This article explains the weekly breakdown, with detailed descriptions of each topic, their importance, and real-world applications. Designed to cater to students and educators alike, this guide ensures that even beginners grasp these concepts with ease.
Scheme of Work for Second Term (SSS 1 Government)
Week(s) | Topic(s) | Content |
---|---|---|
1 | Types and Characteristics of Government | Unitary Government: Meaning, features, advantages, disadvantages, success factors, resource control. |
2 | Federal Government | Federation: Definition, reasons for federating, features, resource control, merits, demerits. |
3 | Presidential System of Government | Definition, characteristics, resource control, advantages, disadvantages. |
4 | Parliamentary/Cabinet System of Government | Definition, characteristics, merits, demerits, differences from presidential system. |
5 | Confederal Government | Meaning, features, resource control, merits, demerits, comparison with federalism. |
6 | Monarchy | Definition, forms (absolute, constitutional), resource control, features, merits, demerits. |
7 | Republicanism | Definition, features, resource control, comparison with monarchy. |
8 | Constitutions and Constitutionalism | Meaning, sources, scope, features, types, constitutionalism. |
9 | Executive | Composition, functions, control, honesty, and integrity. |
10 | Legislature and Judiciary | Functions, types, stages of passing a bill, judicial independence, limitations, honesty and integrity. |
11 | Revision | Review of all topics taught during the term. |
12 | Examination | Formal assessment of the term’s content. |
Explanation of Each Topic
Week 1: Types and Characteristics of Government (Unitary Government)
- Meaning: A unitary government is a system where power is centralized in a single authority.
- Main Features:
- Centralized power structure.
- Uniform policies across the entire country.
- Sub-national units function under central government directives.
- Advantages:
- Quick decision-making.
- Uniform laws.
- Less bureaucracy.
- Disadvantages:
- May lead to over-centralization.
- Neglect of local needs.
- Success Factors:
- A small, homogeneous population.
- Strong central leadership.
- Examples:
- The United Kingdom (excluding devolved powers).
- France.
- Japan.
- Norway.
- Ghana.
- Togo.
Week 2: Federal Government
- Definition: A system where power is shared between central and regional governments.
- Reasons for Federating:
- Diverse ethnic groups.
- Large geographical size.
- Economic considerations.
- Characteristics:
- Division of powers.
- Written constitution.
- Supremacy of the constitution.
- Merits:
- Promotes unity in diversity.
- Encourages local governance.
- Demerits:
- Complexity in administration.
- Conflicts between levels of government.
- Examples:
- Nigeria.
- United States.
- Canada.
- Brazil.
- Germany.
- India.
Week 3: Presidential System of Government
- Definition: A system where the executive power is vested in a president.
- Characteristics:
- Separation of powers.
- Fixed tenure of office.
- Direct election of the president.
- Resource Control:
- Managed by central authority.
- Advantages:
- Stable government.
- Clear separation of powers.
- Disadvantages:
- Possibility of authoritarianism.
- Expensive to run.
- Examples:
- United States.
- Nigeria.
- Brazil.
- South Korea.
- Mexico.
- Philippines.
Week 4: Parliamentary/Cabinet System of Government
- Meaning: A system where the executive is derived from the legislature.
- Characteristics:
- Collective responsibility.
- Flexible tenure.
- Prime minister as head of government.
- Merits:
- Accountability.
- Easier to pass laws.
- Demerits:
- Instability in coalition governments.
- Dominance by the majority party.
- Differences from Presidential System:
- The head of government is separate from the head of state.
- No strict separation of powers.
- Examples:
- United Kingdom.
- Canada.
- India.
- Australia.
- Japan.
- Israel.
Week 5: Confederal Government
- Meaning: A system where power is decentralized to regional governments.
- Features:
- Weak central authority.
- Sovereignty of member states.
- Resource Control:
- Controlled by member states.
- Merits:
- Promotes regional autonomy.
- Demerits:
- Weak central government.
- Lack of unity.
- Examples:
- Switzerland (historical).
- Articles of Confederation (U.S.).
- European Union (partial).
- Confederate States of America.
- Senegambia Confederation.
- German Confederation.
Week 6: Monarchy
- Meaning: A government ruled by a king or queen.
- Forms:
- Absolute Monarchy: Monarch has unlimited powers.
- Constitutional Monarchy: Monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution.
- Features:
- Hereditary leadership.
- Symbolic national unity.
- Merits:
- Stability.
- Continuity of leadership.
- Demerits:
- Can be undemocratic.
- Risk of autocracy.
- Examples:
- United Kingdom.
- Saudi Arabia.
- Japan.
- Morocco.
- Bhutan.
- Sweden.
Week 7: Republicanism
- Definition: A system where the head of state is elected.
- Features:
- No hereditary leadership.
- Sovereignty resides with the people.
- Resource Control:
- Managed by elected officials.
- Comparison with Monarchy:
- Monarchy involves hereditary rule; republicanism involves elections.
- Examples:
- United States.
- France.
- Nigeria.
- Italy.
- India.
- South Africa.
Week 8: Constitutions and Constitutionalism
- Meaning: A constitution is a set of laws governing a state, while constitutionalism emphasizes adherence to these laws.
- Sources:
- Written documents.
- Conventions.
- Types:
- Written.
- Unwritten.
- Features:
- Supreme legal authority.
- Division of powers.
- Examples:
- Nigeria (1999 Constitution).
- U.S. Constitution.
- Indian Constitution.
- French Constitution.
- British Constitution.
- South African Constitution.
Week 9: Executive
- Meaning: The executive is the branch of government responsible for implementing laws and running the administration of the state.
- Composition:
- Parliamentary Executive: Executive is drawn from the legislature (e.g., United Kingdom).
- Presidential Executive: Executive is separate from the legislature (e.g., United States).
- Functions:
- Enforcement of laws.
- Formulation and implementation of policies.
- Representation of the country in international affairs.
- Maintenance of law and order.
- Defense and security.
- Budget preparation and financial control.
- Control of the Executive:
- By the legislature (e.g., impeachment, question-and-answer sessions).
- By the judiciary (e.g., judicial review).
- Honesty and Integrity:
- Transparency in governance.
- Accountability to the people.
- Examples:
- The President in Nigeria (Presidential Executive).
- The Prime Minister in the United Kingdom (Parliamentary Executive).
- U.S. President (Joe Biden).
- Germany’s Chancellor.
- The French President.
- Canada’s Prime Minister.
Week 10: Legislature and Judiciary
Legislature
- Functions:
- Lawmaking.
- Oversight of the executive.
- Approval of budgets.
- Representation of the electorate.
- Ratification of treaties.
- Maintenance of checks and balances.
- Types of Legislature:
- Unicameral: Single legislative chamber (e.g., Ghana).
- Bicameral: Two chambers (e.g., Senate and House of Representatives in Nigeria).
- Stages of Passing a Bill into Law:
- First Reading.
- Second Reading.
- Committee Stage.
- Report Stage.
- Third Reading.
- Assent by the President/Governor.
Judiciary
- Functions:
- Interpretation of laws.
- Settlement of disputes.
- Protection of fundamental rights.
- Checks on legislative and executive actions.
- Judicial Independence:
- Meaning: Judges operate free of influence from other branches.
- Factors Ensuring Independence:
- Appointment security.
- Financial autonomy.
- No external interference.
- Reasons for Judicial Independence:
- Ensures justice and fairness.
- Prevents abuse of power.
- Protects individual rights.
- Factors Limiting Judicial Independence:
- Political interference.
- Insufficient funding.
- Corruption.
- Honesty and Integrity:
- Essential for impartial justice delivery.
- Examples:
- Nigerian Supreme Court.
- U.S. Supreme Court.
- International Court of Justice.
- Indian High Court.
- South African Constitutional Court.
- British House of Lords (Judicial Functions).