Arms of Government (Primary 5- Civic Education Lesson Note: Second Term, Week Four)

Week Four

Subject: Civic Education
Class: Primary Five
Week of the Second Term: 4th Week
Topic: Arms of Government
Subtopic: Meaning and Divisions of Government (Executive, Legislative, Judiciary)

---

Lesson Objectives:

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

1. Define the three arms of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary.
2. Identify the key functions of each arm of government.
3. Explain how the three arms of government work together to run the country.

---

Entry Behavior:

Pupils should already have a basic understanding of government and leadership, such as what a president or governor does.

---

Instructional Materials:

1. Textbook: Civic Education for Primary Schools
2. Charts: Visual aids showing the three arms of government and their functions
3. Flashcards: Key terms like “Executive,” “Legislative,” and “Judiciary”

---

Reference Materials:

1. Babalola, G. M. (2022). Civic Education for Primary Schools Book 4. Metropolitan Publishers, Lagos.
2. Olagunju, D., Sa’ad, G., Arisi, R. O., & Nwadike, J. (2016). Civic Education for Primary Schools Book 5. West African Book Publishers, Lagos.

---

Content:

Meaning of Government:

The government is a group of people chosen to manage the affairs of a country or community. Their job is to create and enforce rules, provide services like healthcare and education, and ensure that everyone lives peacefully together.

Governments are divided into three main parts or arms to make sure that power is shared and no one becomes too powerful. These arms are:

1. Executive
2. Legislative
3. Judiciary

---

Divisions of Government:

1. Executive Arm:
   • The executive is responsible for running the country and enforcing laws. It makes sure that the rules or laws created by the government are followed.
   • Key Officials:
     • President: Head of the executive at the national level.
     • Governors: Leaders of the executive in each state.
     • Ministers or Commissioners: Help the president or governor to manage specific areas like education, health, or security.
   • Functions:
     • Enforce laws.
     • Make important decisions about how the country is run.
     • Manage government services like schools, hospitals, and roads.
2. Legislative Arm:
   • The legislative arm makes the laws that govern the country. It is like a group of people who come together to write down the rules that everyone must follow.
   • Key Officials:
     • Senators and Members of Parliament (House of Representatives) at the national level.
     • State House of Assembly Members at the state level.
   • Functions:
     • Make new laws or change old ones.
     • Approve the budget (money the government plans to spend).
     • Check the work of the executive to ensure they are doing the right thing.
3. Judiciary Arm:
   • The judiciary is responsible for interpreting the laws and making sure they are applied fairly. They help settle disputes between people or between the government and citizens.
   • Key Officials:
     • Judges and Magistrates in the courts.
   • Functions:
     • Make sure that laws are obeyed.
     • Settle arguments or conflicts according to the law.
     • Protect the rights of citizens by making sure that people who break the law are punished.

Step 1: Introduction

Lesson Presentation (Step-by-Step Procedure)

Others removed.