The Constitution JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note

TOPIC:  THE CONSTITUTION

THE MEANING OF THE CONSTITUTION

A constitution is defined as a body of rules and regulations by which the citizens of a country are governed or ruled. A constitution also defines the powers and functions of the political office holders such as Presidents, Governors, Chairmen, and Councillors of Local Government, etc. All the citizens in a country are expected to abide by the rules and regulations provided. The Constitution also states the rights, duties, and obligations of the citizens.

EVALUATION

1.          Define the constitution.

2.          Mention five political office holders in Nigeria.

 THE TYPES OF CONSTITUTION

1. Written Constitution: It is a body of rules and regulations of a country that are written in a single document. Examples of countries that operate written constitutions are America, Nigeria, etc.

2. Unwritten Constitution: It is defined as a body of rules and regulations of a country that are not written in a single document. An unwritten constitution is usually based on the cultures, traditions, conventions, and beliefs of the people. Britain is a good example of a country that operates an unwritten constitution.

3.Rigid Constitution: A Rigid Constitution is defined as one that is very difficult to amend or change. Most written constitutions are rigid. America, Ghana, and Nigeria have written and rigid constitutions.

4. Flexible Constitution: It is defined as the type of constitution that is easy to amend. Most unwritten constitutions are flexible. Britain, Italy, etc have unwritten and flexible constitutions.

5. Federal Constitution: A federal constitution divides the powers of government between the central, state, and local governments. Nigeria and America are good examples of countries that operate a federal constitution.

6. Unitary Constitution: A unitary constitution is one in which there is only one central government. States and local governments do not exist in a unitary constitution. Britain, Italy, and France are good examples of countries with unitary constitutions.

 EVALUATION

List and explain the various types of constitutions.

 GENERAL EVALUATION

1.          Explain the meaning of integrity.

2.          Describe attributes of people of integrity.

3.          Discuss the need to have people of integrity in the society.

4.          Explain the meaning of contentment.

5.          Descibethe attribute of contentment.

 READING ASSIGNMENT

Fundamentals of Civic Education for Basic 9, Jss 3 by Sola Akinyemi pages 50 – 58.

 WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1.          All the following are political office holders in Nigeria except ___           A. teachers B. president C. governors D. councillors

2.   Nigeria operates a ___________ constitution. A. unitary B. unwritten C. written D. flexible

3.          All the following countries operatea federal constitution except. A. Ghana B. Britain C. America D. France

4.          Britain operates a _________ constitution. A. federal B. rigid C. written D. unwritten

5.          Italy and France operate a _________ constitution A. unitary B. federal C. written D. rigid.

THEORY

1.          Differentiate between federal and written constitution.

2.          Mention five political offices we have in Nigeria.