Class: Senior Secondary School 1 (SS1, SS 1, SSS1, SSS 1)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 5
Age: 15 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Store Management
Curriculum Theme: Store Management
Previous Lesson: Law of Contract: Intention To Create Legal Relations, Certainty of Terms of Agreement & Contracts.
Topic: The Object of a Contract Must Be Legal and Possible to Perform
Subject Matter: Legality of contract object, possibility of performance, discharge of contract, circumstances that frustrate a contract, remedies for breach of contract

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

Explain what it means for the object of a contract to be legal.
State what it means for a contract to be possible to perform and give examples.
Define discharge of contract and list ways a contract can be discharged.
Explain frustration of contract and list circumstances that can frustrate a contract.
List remedies for breach of contract.

Affective Domain:

Show a responsible attitude by avoiding illegal agreements and dishonest dealings.
Demonstrate fairness and respect for agreed terms in business transactions.

Psychomotor Domain:

Analyse a simple case scenario and identify whether the contract object is legal and possible to perform.
Draft short examples of contract terms and label them as legal/illegal and possible/impossible to perform.

Participate in class discussion with the resource person by asking relevant questions.
Work with classmates to discuss examples of breach of contract and suggest suitable remedies.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
State Unified Scheme of Work
Store Management for Senior Secondary Schools (recommended textbook)
Contract Law Overview (Encyclopaedia Britannica)
Breach of Contract and Remedies (Legal Information Institute)
Impossibility of Performance (Legal Information Institute)

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Resource person (e.g., a lawyer or legal practitioner)
Sample case scenarios (short contract stories)
Chart showing discharge of contract and remedies for breach
Whiteboard and marker
Printed question prompts for group discussion

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand that not every agreement is enforceable by law, especially when it involves illegal acts or impossible tasks. It also helps pupils know what happens when contracts end or fail and how people can seek remedies when agreements are broken.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have basic understanding of contract terms such as offer, acceptance, consideration, and essential requirements of a valid contract.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Legality and Performance in Contracts

Legality of Contract Object

The object of a contract is the purpose or subject matter of the agreement. It must be lawful before the contract can be enforced.

The following are examples of illegal contract objects:

Agreements to sell prohibited or stolen goods.
Agreements to commit crimes or fraud.
Agreements that promote corruption or bribery.
Agreements that go against public policy or morality.

The following are examples of legal contract objects:

Buying and selling lawful goods.
Payment for a lawful service (repairs, transportation, training).
Supply of approved materials for business operations.

Possibility of Performance

Possibility of performance means the contract can realistically be carried out. A contract may fail if what was agreed cannot be done.

The following are situations that show impossibility of performance:

Physical impossibility (the thing cannot be done in reality).
Legal impossibility (a law prevents the action).
Non-existence of the subject matter at the time of agreement.
Performance depends on an event that cannot happen.

Discharge of Contract

Discharge of contract means the contract ends and the parties are freed from further obligations.

The following are ways a contract can be discharged:

Performance (both parties have done what they agreed to do).
Agreement (both parties agree to end or change the contract).
Breach (one party fails to perform a duty under the contract).
Frustration (an unforeseen event makes performance impossible or illegal).
Operation of law (death in personal services, bankruptcy, time limitation, court order).

Frustration of Contract

Frustration occurs when an unexpected event outside the control of the parties makes the contract impossible to perform or changes the situation beyond what was agreed.

The following are circumstances that can frustrate a contract:

Destruction of the subject matter (fire, accident, damage).
Change in law that makes performance illegal.
Death or serious illness where personal service is required.
Natural disasters or major events that stop performance (flood, war, serious unrest).
Cancellation of an event that is the foundation of the contract.

Remedies for Breach of Contract

Remedies are legal solutions available to the injured party when the other party breaks the contract.

The following are remedies for breach of contract:

Damages (money compensation for loss suffered).
Specific performance (court order to carry out the contract where suitable).
Injunction (court order to stop a party from doing something that breaks the contract).
Rescission (cancelling the contract and restoring parties to their previous position).
Restitution (returning benefits or money received under the contract).

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 presents two short agreements on the board: one lawful (sale of books) and one unlawful (sale of stolen phone). The teacher asks pupils to identify which one can be enforced and why.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond and share reasons based on legality and common sense.
Learning Point: A contract must have a lawful purpose to be enforceable.

Step 2: Legality of Contract Object

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of contract object and outlines legal and illegal objects using examples from business and store activities.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take notes and list examples of legal and illegal contract objects.
Learning Point: An illegal contract object makes the agreement unenforceable.

Step 3: Possibility of Performance

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains possibility of performance and gives examples of physical and legal impossibility. The teacher asks pupils to classify given examples as possible or impossible.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer and give short examples from daily life and business transactions.
Learning Point: A contract must be capable of being performed.

Step 4: Discharge of Contract

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Chalkboard Illustration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines discharge of contract and lists ways a contract can end, using a simple chart on the board.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the chart and explain one way a contract can be discharged.
Learning Point: Contracts can end through performance, agreement, breach, frustration, or operation of law.

Step 5: Frustration of Contract

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains frustration and presents short scenarios (e.g., fire destroys goods before delivery). The teacher guides pupils to identify the event and its effect on the contract.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils discuss scenarios in groups and state whether frustration applies and why.
Learning Point: Unexpected events may end a contract when performance becomes impossible or illegal.

Step 6: Remedies for Breach of Contract (Resource Person Session)

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Interaction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher introduces the resource person to explain remedies for breach of contract with real examples, then moderates short questions from pupils.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils take notes, ask questions, and mention examples of breached contracts in business settings.
Learning Point: The law provides remedies to protect injured parties when contracts are breached.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

Define the object of a contract and state why it must be legal.
State three situations that show impossibility of performance.
List four ways a contract can be discharged.
List four remedies for breach of contract.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 0 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summary
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points: legality of object, possibility of performance, discharge, frustration, and remedies. The teacher gives a short assignment: pupils write one case scenario each for illegality, impossibility, frustration, and breach with the suitable remedy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the assignment and restate one key lesson point.
Learning Point: Legal and workable contracts protect business relationships and guide fair solutions when problems occur.

Lesson Keywords

Object of contract – The purpose or subject matter of an agreement.
Legality – Being allowed by law.
Illegality – Being against the law.
Possibility of performance – Ability to carry out what was agreed.
Impossibility – Situation where performance cannot be done.
Discharge – Ending a contract and releasing parties from duties.
Frustration – Unexpected event that makes a contract impossible or illegal to perform.
Breach – Failure to perform a duty under a contract.
Remedy – Legal solution given to the injured party.

Differentiation

Fast learners analyse two case scenarios and state whether the contract is illegal, impossible, frustrated, or breached, and suggest the best remedy. Learners who need support use a guided table to match each concept to its meaning and one example.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Use examples that relate to store transactions such as supply of goods, services, delivery, and payment. Keep case scenarios short and clear, and ensure pupils write answers in simple exam-ready points.