Lesson Note on 1979 Presidential Constitution: Features and Merits and Demerits of the 1979 Constitution for SSS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: Third Term
Week: 8
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Curriculum Theme: Constitutional Development
Previous Lesson: Republican Constitution: Features and Merits and Demerits of the 1963 Parliamentary Constitution.
Topic: 1979 PRESIDENTIAL CONSTITUTION
Subject Matter: Meaning of presidential constitution (constitution with executive president), 1979 presidential constitution, features (separation of powers, executive presidency), merits (advantages), demerits (limitations)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define a presidential constitution.
• Describe the historical context of the 1979 Presidential Constitution.
• State at least three features of the 1979 Presidential Constitution.
• List at least three merits and demerits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the significance of the 1979 Constitution in Nigeria’s political history.
• Value the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Participate in discussions about the application of constitutional principles.
• Outline the key aspects of the 1979 Constitution.

Social Domain:

• Engage in collaborative learning to understand constitutional frameworks.
• Discuss openly the impact of different constitutional systems on governance.

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
• https://www.nigerianlawguru.com/articles/constitutional%20law/THE%201979%20CONSTITUTION.pdf
• https://www.constitutionnet.org/country/nigeria

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Textbooks
• Charts showing the structure of government
• Resource person notes (if a resource person was invited previously)
• Drama guide (for demonstration purposes)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand a significant period in Nigeria’s constitutional development. It enables them to grasp the characteristics of a presidential system of government and its practical implications. Understanding the 1979 Constitution provides insight into the foundation of Nigeria’s current democratic structure.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have a basic understanding of what a constitution is and different forms of government, such as parliamentary and military rule.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

1979 Presidential Constitution

Meaning of Presidential Constitution

A presidential constitution establishes a system of government where the head of state is also the head of government, known as the President. The President is directly elected by the people and is largely independent of the legislature, operating under the principle of separation of powers.

The 1979 Presidential Constitution

The 1979 Constitution marked Nigeria’s transition from a parliamentary system to a presidential system of government. It was introduced during the Second Republic (1979-1983) and was influenced by the American presidential system. It aimed to create a stable and unified nation by adopting a strong executive presidency and principles of checks and balances.

Features of the 1979 Presidential Constitution

The following are key features of the 1979 Presidential Constitution:

• Executive Presidency: A powerful president served as both head of state and head of government, elected for a four-year term.
• Separation of Powers: Clear division of governmental powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial arms.
• Checks and Balances: Each arm of government had powers to check the others, preventing abuse of power.
• Bicameral Legislature: A National Assembly comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• Federal System of Government: Power was shared between the federal government and state governments.
• Fundamental Human Rights: Enshrined rights and freedoms for citizens.
• Independent Judiciary: The judiciary was given powers to interpret laws and protect the constitution.

Merits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution

The following are advantages of the 1979 Presidential Constitution:

• Stability: A strong executive provides stability in governance.
• Accountability: The President is directly accountable to the electorate.
• National Unity: The President serves as a symbol of national unity, having been elected by a wide national mandate.
• Efficient Decision-Making: A single executive can make decisions more quickly than a cabinet system.
• Separation of Powers: Prevents the concentration of power in one arm of government.

Demerits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution

The following are limitations of the 1979 Presidential Constitution:

• Costly: Running a presidential system, especially with a bicameral legislature, is expensive.
• Potential for Dictatorship: A powerful president could potentially become authoritarian.
• Gridlock: Conflict between the executive and legislative branches can lead to governmental paralysis.
• Winner-Takes-All: The electoral system can lead to a sense of exclusion for minority parties.
• Lack of Flexibility: Impeachment processes can be lengthy and difficult, making it hard to remove an unpopular president.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

Discussion, Lecture, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Visual Aids, Role-play

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and reviews the previous lesson on types of government. The teacher then introduces the topic by asking pupils if they know what a “Presidential system” means.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and share their prior knowledge.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the lesson’s topic.

Step 2: Meaning of Presidential Constitution

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of a presidential constitution, emphasizing the role of the executive president and the concept of separation of powers. The teacher may use charts to illustrate the structure of government.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, take notes, and ask clarifying questions.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the definition and basic principles of a presidential constitution.

Step 3: Overview of the 1979 Presidential Constitution

Time: 7 minutes
Teaching Skill: Narration/Historical Context
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher provides a brief historical background of the 1979 Constitution, explaining why Nigeria adopted a presidential system and its duration. The teacher highlights its significance as a transition from a parliamentary system.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes on the historical context.
Learning Point: Pupils grasp the origin and importance of the 1979 Constitution.

Step 4: Features of the 1979 Presidential Constitution

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher discusses the key features of the 1979 Constitution, such as executive presidency, separation of powers, checks and balances, and the bicameral legislature. The teacher uses examples to illustrate these features.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils actively participate in discussions, identify features, and write them down.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and understand the main characteristics of the 1979 Constitution.

Step 5: Merits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution

Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Analysis
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the advantages or merits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution, such as stability, accountability, and national unity. The teacher encourages pupils to provide their own perspectives.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils contribute to the discussion, state the merits, and record them in their notebooks.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the benefits of a presidential system as exemplified by the 1979 Constitution.

Step 6: Demerits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion/Critique
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify the disadvantages or demerits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution, including its costliness and potential for conflict between branches of government. The teacher may use the drama guide to explain the roles of organs of government and potential conflicts.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils identify and discuss the demerits, noting them down.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the challenges and drawbacks associated with the 1979 Presidential 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. What is a presidential constitution?
2. Mention two features of the 1979 Presidential Constitution.
3. State two merits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution.
4. Identify two demerits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution.

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

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the key points of the lesson, reiterating the definition, features, merits, and demerits of the 1979 Presidential Constitution. The teacher assigns homework for pupils to research the current Nigerian Constitution and compare it with the 1979 Constitution.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their understanding and are given a task for further learning.

Lesson Keywords

• Presidential Constitution – A system where the president is both head of state and head of government.
• 1979 Constitution – The constitution that introduced the presidential system in Nigeria’s Second Republic.
• Separation of Powers – The division of governmental powers into distinct branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.
• Checks and Balances – A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.
• Executive Presidency – A system with a single, powerful executive head.

Differentiation

For pupils who are struggling, the teacher will provide simplified notes and pair them with more advanced learners for peer tutoring. For advanced learners, the teacher will encourage further research into specific aspects of the constitution or comparisons with other presidential systems globally.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Teachers should ensure to use clear and simple language when explaining complex constitutional terms. Visual aids like charts illustrating the separation of powers can greatly enhance understanding. Encouraging active pupil participation through questions and discussions is important for this topic. If a resource person was invited for a pre-lesson talk, ensure to refer to their contributions during the lesson.