Lesson Note on Republican Constitution: Features and Merits and Demerits of the 1963 Parliamentary Constitution for SSS 2

Class: Senior Secondary School 2 (SS2 / SSS2)
Term: 3rd Term
Week: 7
Age: 16 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Government
Curriculum Theme: Government and Governance
Previous Lesson: Independence Constitution: Features and Merits and Demerits of the 1960 Constitution.
Topic: REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION OF 1963 PARLIAMENTARY
Subject Matter: Meaning of republican constitution (constitution of a republic), republican constitution of 1963, features (parliamentary arrangements), merits (advantages), demerits (weaknesses)

Specific Objectives

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

Cognitive Domain:

• Define a republican constitution.
• List the key features of the 1963 Republican Constitution.
• State the merits and demerits of the 1963 Republican Constitution.

Affective Domain:

• Appreciate the historical significance of the 1963 Republican Constitution.
• Discuss the impacts of the 1963 constitution on Nigeria’s political development.

Psychomotor Domain:

• Describe the parliamentary features of the 1963 constitution.
• Participate in a debate or drama illustrating the aspects of the constitution.

Social Domain:

• Collaborate effectively during group discussions and activities.
• Communicate their understanding of the constitution’s provisions.

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• Senior Secondary Schools Education Curriculum
• State Unified Scheme of Work
• Adigwe, O. (2018). Essential Government for Senior Secondary Schools. Tonad Publishers.
• https://www.jstor.org/stable/2179830
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/Constitution-of-Nigeria

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Government textbooks
• Charts showing an overview of the 1963 constitution
• Debate guide
• Documentary notes on Nigerian constitutional history

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson helps pupils understand Nigeria’s constitutional history by examining the 1963 Republican Constitution. It enables them to recognize how past political structures influenced the nation’s governance and appreciate the evolution of Nigeria’s political system.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils should have prior knowledge of the Nigerian Independence Constitution of 1960 and basic concepts of parliamentary democracy.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION OF 1963 PARLIAMENTARY

Meaning of Republican Constitution

A republican constitution is a document that establishes a country as a republic, meaning the head of state is not a monarch but an elected or appointed official. This constitution typically outlines the powers and responsibilities of the government, protects citizens’ rights, and defines the structure of the state.

The 1963 Republican Constitution

The 1963 Republican Constitution was Nigeria’s first constitution as a republic, replacing the Independence Constitution of 1960. It marked Nigeria’s complete break from the British monarchy, as the Queen of England ceased to be the Head of State. Under this constitution, Nigeria became a Federal Republic, with a President as the ceremonial Head of State, while the Head of Government remained the Prime Minister.

Features of the 1963 Republican Constitution (Parliamentary Arrangements)

The 1963 Constitution retained many features of the 1960 constitution but introduced key changes:

• Republican Status: Nigeria became a Republic, and the Queen of England ceased to be the Head of State.
• President as Head of State: The President replaced the Governor-General as the ceremonial Head of State. The President was elected by both houses of parliament (Senate and House of Representatives) in a joint session.
• Prime Minister as Head of Government: The Prime Minister remained the Head of Government, wielding executive powers and responsible to the parliament.
• Parliamentary System of Government: The system of government remained parliamentary, where the executive (Prime Minister and cabinet) was drawn from and accountable to the legislature.
• Supremacy of the Constitution: The constitution was declared the supreme law of the land.
• Federal System: Nigeria remained a federation with powers divided between the federal government and regional governments.
• Fundamental Human Rights: Provisions for fundamental human rights were retained and entrenched.
• Judiciary: The Supreme Court remained the highest court, but appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London were abolished.
• Regional Autonomy: Regions had considerable autonomy, including their own constitutions.

Merits of the 1963 Republican Constitution

The 1963 Republican Constitution had several advantages:

• Full Sovereignty: It established Nigeria as a fully sovereign nation, free from colonial influence.
• National Pride: It fostered national pride by having a Nigerian as the Head of State.
• Constitutional Supremacy: It affirmed the supremacy of the Nigerian constitution over any foreign authority.
• Abolition of Privy Council Appeals: It ensured that the final court of appeal for Nigeria was within Nigeria, strengthening judicial independence.
• Clarity of Roles: It clearly defined the roles of the ceremonial President and the executive Prime Minister.

Demerits of the 1963 Republican Constitution

Despite its merits, the 1963 Constitution also had weaknesses:

• Ceremonial President: The President’s role was largely ceremonial, leading to potential power struggles or lack of clear leadership in times of crisis.
• Regionalism: The strong regional autonomy sometimes overshadowed national unity and fostered ethnic sentiments.
• Lack of Checks and Balances: The parliamentary system, particularly in a nascent democracy, sometimes lacked effective checks and balances on the executive.
• Political Instability: The period under this constitution was marked by political crises, partly due to the regional rivalries and the weaknesses in the constitutional framework.
• Emergency Powers: The constitution’s provisions for emergency powers were sometimes abused, leading to political unrest.

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 recall the Nigerian Independence Constitution of 1960. The teacher then introduces the topic by explaining that after independence, Nigeria became a republic.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions and listen attentively to the introduction.
Learning Point: Pupils recall previous knowledge and are introduced to the lesson topic.

Step 2: Meaning of Republican Constitution

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Definition
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of a republican constitution, emphasizing the transition from a monarchical head of state to an elected or appointed one.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes, asking questions for clarification.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of a republican constitution.

Step 3: Features of the 1963 Republican Constitution

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Elaboration/Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads a discussion on the key features of the 1963 Republican Constitution, particularly its parliamentary arrangements, using charts to highlight important points.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils describe the parliamentary features and contribute to the discussion, identifying changes from the 1960 constitution.
Learning Point: Pupils identify and understand the main features of the 1963 constitution.

Step 4: Merits of the 1963 Republican Constitution

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Analysis/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher guides pupils to identify and list the advantages or merits of the 1963 Republican Constitution, such as full sovereignty and national pride.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils state the merits and discuss their positive impacts on Nigeria.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the benefits of the 1963 constitution.

Step 5: Demerits of the 1963 Republican Constitution

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Analysis/Listing
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher facilitates a discussion on the demerits or weaknesses of the 1963 Republican Constitution, considering factors like political instability and regionalism.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils state the demerits and discuss their negative impacts on Nigeria.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the shortcomings of the 1963 constitution.

Step 6: Debate/Drama Activity

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Group Work/Role Play
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organizes a short debate or drama where pupils can act out scenarios related to the merits and demerits of the 1963 Republican Constitution.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate actively in the debate or drama, demonstrating their understanding of the constitutional provisions and their impacts.
Learning Point: Pupils practically engage with and internalize the aspects 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 republican constitution.
2. List three key features of the 1963 Republican Constitution.
3. State two merits of the 1963 Republican Constitution.
4. Mention two demerits of the 1963 Republican Constitution.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer orally and in writing.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Summarization
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the main points of the lesson, reiterating the significance of the 1963 Republican Constitution in Nigeria’s history. The teacher also gives homework, asking pupils to research how the 1963 constitution contributed to the First Republic’s collapse.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the summary, ask final questions, and copy down the homework.
Learning Point: Pupils consolidate their learning and are encouraged to research further.

Lesson Keywords

• Republic – A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, rather than by a monarch.
• Constitution – A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
• Parliamentary System – A system of democratic governance where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature.
• Sovereignty – The full right and power of a governing body over itself, without any interference from outside sources or bodies.
• Federalism – A system of government in which power is divided between a national government and regional or state governments.

Differentiation

For pupils who grasp concepts quickly, the teacher will encourage them to research and present on the political figures involved in drafting the 1963 constitution. For pupils who require more support, the teacher will provide simplified notes and engage them in direct question-and-answer sessions to reinforce understanding.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Ensure that pupils understand the historical context leading to the 1963 constitution. Encourage critical thinking about how this constitution addressed or failed to address Nigeria’s political challenges. Emphasize the connection between the constitutional provisions and the political events of the First Republic.