Lesson Note on Arthur Richards Constitution: Features and Implications of the 1946/47 Constitution for SSS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 2
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Curriculum Theme: Constitutional Development in Nigeria
Previous Lesson: Constitutional Development: Hugh Clifford Constitution Features and Merits.
Topic: ARTHUR RICHARDS CONSTITUTION OF 1946/47
Subject Matter: Meaning of constitution (rules guiding governance), Arthur Richards constitution of 1946/47, features (main provisions), merits (advantages), demerits (weaknesses)

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:

• Define what a constitution is.
• State the main features of the Arthur Richards Constitution of 1946/47.
• Explain the merits of the Arthur Richards Constitution.
• Explain the demerits of the Arthur Richards Constitution.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the historical context and reasons for constitutional changes in Nigeria.
• Develop a critical understanding of colonial constitutional arrangements.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Discuss the provisions of the Arthur Richards Constitution.
• Compare the Richards Constitution with other Nigerian constitutions.

Social Domain:

• Participate actively in classroom discussions about constitutional history.
• Collaborate with peers to analyze historical documents.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Essential Government for Senior Secondary Schools by D.C. Nwaubani
• National archives materials (e.g., historical documents and records related to the constitution)
• https://www.waec.org.ng
• https://www.neco.gov.ng

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Government textbooks
• Charts showing the structure of the Richards Constitution
• Timeline poster of Nigerian constitutional development
• Relevant excerpts from national archives materials

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson enables pupils to understand the foundation of Nigeria’s constitutional development under colonial rule. It helps them grasp the historical evolution of governance structures and the impact of the Arthur Richards Constitution on the country’s political landscape, which is important for understanding current political systems.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are expected to have some basic knowledge of Nigeria’s colonial history and earlier constitutional developments, such as the Clifford Constitution.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

ARTHUR RICHARDS CONSTITUTION OF 1946/47

Meaning of Constitution

A constitution is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. It outlines the powers of government, the rights of citizens, and the relationship between different arms of government.

Arthur Richards Constitution (1946/47)

The Arthur Richards Constitution was enacted in 1946 by Sir Arthur Richards, who was the Governor of Nigeria from 1943 to 1948. It came into effect on January 1, 1947, and replaced the Clifford Constitution of 1922. The constitution aimed to promote the unity of Nigeria and provide for greater participation of Africans in the discussion of their own affairs, though it was largely imposed without significant consultation with Nigerians.

Features of the Arthur Richards Constitution

The following are the main provisions of the Arthur Richards Constitution:

• It introduced regionalism by dividing Nigeria into three administrative regions: the Northern, Western, and Eastern Regions.
• It established Regional Assemblies (Houses of Assembly and Houses of Chiefs in the North) which were advisory bodies to the Governor.
• The Legislative Council was enlarged and had an unofficial African majority for the first time.
• The Governor retained significant powers, including the power of veto over legislation.
• It provided for a central Legislative Council that legislated for the whole country, including the Northern Region.
• Membership to the Legislative Council was through a combination of nomination and indirect election from the Regional Assemblies.
• It did not provide for universal adult suffrage; voting was restricted to a few eligible males in Lagos and Calabar.

Merits (Advantages) of the Arthur Richards Constitution

The following are the advantages of the Arthur Richards Constitution:

• It promoted the unity of Nigeria by bringing representatives from the North and South together in the Legislative Council for the first time.
• It introduced the concept of regionalism, which was a step towards a federal system of government.
• It increased the number of unofficial African members in the Legislative Council, allowing for more Nigerian input.
• It recognized and preserved traditional institutions through the establishment of Houses of Chiefs.

Demerits (Weaknesses) of the Arthur Richards Constitution

The following are the disadvantages of the Arthur Richards Constitution:

• It was largely imposed on Nigerians without adequate consultation or popular participation in its drafting.
• The Regional Assemblies created by the constitution were merely advisory and lacked real legislative powers.
• The Governor retained excessive powers, including the power to veto bills passed by the Legislative Council.
• It did not provide for universal adult suffrage, limiting political participation to a select few.
• The increased African representation had limited impact due to the Governor’s overriding powers.
• The regional divisions it created eventually fostered ethnic rivalries and regional loyalties over national unity.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and asks them to name some constitutions Nigeria has had since independence. The teacher then tells them that before independence, Nigeria also had several constitutions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond by naming constitutions like the 1999 Constitution, 1979 Constitution, etc. They listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils are introduced to the concept of constitutions in Nigeria’s history.

Step 2: Meaning of Constitution

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to define what a constitution is, emphasizing its role as the supreme law of a country. The teacher also shows charts illustrating the concept.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils offer their definitions and discuss the importance of a constitution.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the meaning and significance of a constitution.

Step 3: Background of the Arthur Richards Constitution

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Historical Narration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the historical context of the Arthur Richards Constitution, including when it was introduced, by whom, and its purpose. The teacher also refers to excerpts from national archives materials.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes, asking questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils gain knowledge of the origins and aims of the Richards Constitution.

Step 4: Features of the Arthur Richards Constitution

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Listing/Elaboration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher highlights and explains the key features of the Arthur Richards Constitution, such as the introduction of regionalism, the composition of the Legislative Council, and the Governor’s powers, using a timeline poster.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and write down the main features as explained by the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils learn the main provisions of the constitution.

Step 5: Merits of the Arthur Richards Constitution

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Analysis/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the positive aspects or advantages of the Arthur Richards Constitution, encouraging pupils to think critically about its contributions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion and note down the merits of the constitution.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the positive impacts of the constitution.

Step 6: Demerits of the Arthur Richards Constitution

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Analysis/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify and explain the weaknesses or disadvantages of the Arthur Richards Constitution, linking them to its imposed nature and limited democratic provisions.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss the demerits and record them in their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the shortcomings of the constitution.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

1. Define a constitution.
2. State three main features of the Arthur Richards Constitution of 1946/47.
3. Mention two merits of the Arthur Richards Constitution.
4. List two demerits of the Arthur Richards Constitution.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the importance of the Arthur Richards Constitution in Nigeria’s political history. The teacher assigns homework for pupils to research the differences between the Richards Constitution and the Clifford Constitution.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy the homework assignment.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding of the topic.

Lesson Keywords

• Constitution – A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed.
• Arthur Richards – The British Governor who introduced the 1946 Constitution.
• Legislative Council – The central law-making body during the colonial era.
• Regionalism – The political principle of giving a region more autonomy or distinct status within a larger state.
• Unofficial Members – Members of the Legislative Council who were not government officials, often Nigerians.

Differentiation

The teacher will provide additional support to struggling learners by simplifying complex terms and offering guided notes. Advanced learners will be encouraged to engage in deeper analysis of the constitution’s long-term effects and compare it with other colonial constitutions using additional reference materials.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure to simplify the historical context for pupils to grasp easily. Encourage critical thinking about the impact of colonial policies on Nigeria’s political development. Emphasize the connection between past constitutional developments and contemporary governance. Utilize visual aids effectively to enhance understanding and engagement.