Arms of Government: Differences Between the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary | Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 6 Civic Education

ARMS OF GOVERNMENT: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE, EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIARY 

CIVIC EDUCATION

PRIMARY 5 – SECOND TERM – WEEK 6

THEME – NATIONAL VALUES EDUCATION 

PREVIOUS LESSON – Importance of the Arms of Government: Importance of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Arms of Government | Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 5 Civic Education

TOPIC – DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE, EXECUTIVE AND JUDICIARY 

LEARNING AREA 

1. Introduction

2. Meaning of Executive, Legislative and Judicial Arms of Government

3. Differences between Executive, Legislative and Judicial Arms of Government

4. How the three Arms of Government Work Together

5. Weekly Assessment: Test Questions and Answers/Assignment

6. Summary

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

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

1. Explain the meaning of the three arms of government.

2. Name the three arms of government in Nigeria.

3. State the main function of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial arms.

4. Identify the differences between the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

5. Explain why the three arms have different responsibilities.

ENTRY BEHAVIOUR

Pupils have previously learned about the importance of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial arms of government.

This lesson builds on that knowledge by teaching pupils about the differences between the three arms of government, their different functions, membership, and responsibilities in Nigeria.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

The teacher will teach the lesson with the aid of:

1. Chart showing the three arms of government

2. Pictures of the President, legislators, and judges

3. Flashcards showing the functions of each arm

4. Nigerian flag

METHOD OF TEACHING

Choose a suitable and appropriate methods for the lessons.

Note – Irrespective of choosing methods of teaching, always introduce an activities that will arouse pupil’s interest or lead them to the lessons. 

REFERENCE MATERIALS

1. Scheme of Work

2. 9 – Years Basic Education Curriculum

3. Course Book

4. All Relevant Material

5. Online Information

CONTENT OF THE LESSON

INTRODUCTION

Government is divided into different arms so that specific responsibilities can be properly carried out. Although the three arms of government work together to govern the country, they do not perform the same duties.

The Legislature makes laws, the Executive implements and enforces laws, while the Judiciary interprets laws and settles legal disputes.

In this lesson, pupils will learn about the differences between the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, including their functions, membership, heads, and responsibilities.

MEANING OF THE THREE ARMS OF GOVERNMENT

The arms of government are the three main divisions of government responsible for performing different duties in the administration of a country.

The three arms of government are:

• Executive – Implements and enforces laws.

• Legislature – Makes laws.

• Judiciary – Interprets laws and settles legal disputes.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE THREE ARMS OF GOVERNMENT

1. Difference in Their Main Functions

• The Legislature makes laws for the country.

• The Executive implements and enforces the laws made by the Legislature.

• The Judiciary interprets laws and settles disputes according to the law.

2. Difference in Their Membership

• The Legislature consists of elected representatives such as members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

• The Executive includes the President, Vice-President, ministers and other government officials responsible for carrying out government policies.

• The Judiciary consists of judges and other judicial officers who work in the courts.

3. Difference in Their Heads

At the federal level:

• The Executive is headed by the President.

• The Senate is presided over by the President of the Senate, while the House of Representatives is presided over by the Speaker.

• The Judiciary is headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

4. Difference in Their Duties

Executive – Legislature – Judiciary

• Implements laws – Makes laws – Interprets laws

• Enforces laws – Amends laws – Settles legal disputes

• Carries out government policies – Represents citizens – Hears and determines cases

• Provides public services – Monitors the Executive – Protects rights according to law

• Maintains law and order – Approves government spending – Ensures justice

IMPORTANCE OF THE DIFFERENCES

The differences between the three arms of government are important because they help to:

• Ensure that each arm has specific responsibilities.

• Prevent too much power from being concentrated in one arm.

• Promote checks and balances.

• Encourage accountability in government.

• Protect the rights of citizens.

• Promote justice and fairness.

• Ensure effective administration of the country.

HOW THE THREE ARMS WORK TOGETHER

Although the three arms have different functions, they work together to govern the country.

The Legislature makes laws, the Executive implements and enforces the laws, while the Judiciary interprets the laws and settles disputes.

For example, when the Legislature makes a law, the Executive puts the law into practice. If a dispute arises concerning the law, the Judiciary may interpret the law and decide the case according to the Constitution and other applicable laws.

ON A FINAL NOTE 

• The Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary are different arms of government with different responsibilities.

• The Legislature makes laws, the Executive implements and enforces laws, and the Judiciary interprets laws and settles legal disputes.

• Their different roles help to promote good governance, accountability, justice, peace, and national development.

WEEKLY ASSESSMENT: TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/ASSIGNMENT 

A. Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which arm of government is responsible for making laws?

A. Police

B. Legislature

C. Judiciary

D. Legislature

2. Which arm of government implements and enforces laws?

A. Executive

B. Legislature

C. Judiciary

D. Court

3. The Judiciary is mainly responsible for _____.

A. making laws

B. collecting taxes

C. interpreting laws and settling disputes

D. preparing the national budget

4. Which of the following is a difference between the Legislature and the Executive?

A. The Legislature makes laws while the Executive implements them.

B. Both arms interpret laws.

C. Both arms settle court cases.

D. The Executive makes all laws.

5. The head of the Federal Executive is the _____.

A. Chief Justice of Nigeria

B. President

C. Speaker

D. President of the Senate

B. Fill in the Gaps

6. The _____ makes laws for the country.

7. The Executive _____ and enforces laws.

8. The Judiciary _____ laws and settles legal disputes.

9. The National Assembly consists of the Senate and the House of _____.

10. The Chief Justice of Nigeria is the head of the Federal _____.

C. True or False

11. The Legislature makes laws for the country. _____

12. The Executive is responsible for interpreting laws. _____

13. The Judiciary settles legal disputes. _____

14. The three arms of government perform exactly the same functions. _____

15. The three arms of government have different responsibilities. _____

D. Matching

16. Executive — A. Interprets laws

17. Legislature — B. Implements laws

18. Judiciary — C. Makes laws

19. President — D. Head of the Federal Executive

20. Chief Justice of Nigeria — E. Head of the Federal Judiciary

ANSWER KEY

1. D – Legislature

2. A – Executive

3. C – Interprets laws and settles disputes

4. A – The Legislature makes laws while the Executive implements them

4. B – President

6. Legislature

7. implements

8. interprets

9. Representatives

10. Judiciary

11. True

12. False

13. True

14. False

15. True

16. B – Implements laws

17. C – Makes laws

18. A – Interprets laws

19. D – Head of the Federal Executive

20. E – Head of the Federal Judiciary

SUMMARY

In this lesson, pupils learned that the three arms of government are the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.

They learned that the three arms have different functions and responsibilities:

• Executive – Implements and enforces laws and carries out government policies.

• Legislature – Makes and amends laws and represents the interests of the people.

• Judiciary – Interprets laws, settles legal disputes, and ensures justice.

Pupils also learned that the three arms differ in their functions, membership, and responsibilities, but they work together to ensure good governance.

The President is the head of the Federal Executive, the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives preside over the two chambers of the Legislature, while the Chief Justice of Nigeria heads the Federal Judiciary.

PRESENTATION

To deliver the lesson, the teacher adopts the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

The teacher asks pupils:

• What are the three arms of government?

• Do the three arms perform the same functions?

• Which arm makes laws?

• Which arm interprets laws?

The teacher explains that the three arms of government have different responsibilities. Although they work together to govern the country, each arm performs specific duties.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions and recall the three arms of government and their functions.

Step 2: Meaning of the Three Arms of Government

The teacher explains that the three arms of government are the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. Each arm has different responsibilities in the administration of the country.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention the three arms of government and explain their meaning in their own words.

Step 3: The Executive

The teacher explains that the Executive is responsible for implementing and enforcing laws and carrying out government policies.

The teacher explains that the Executive:

• Implements laws.

• Enforces laws.

• Carries out government policies.

• Maintains peace and order.

• Provides public services.

The teacher explains that the President is the head of the Federal Executive.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention the functions of the Executive and identify the President as its head.

Step 4: The Legislature

The teacher explains that the Legislature is responsible for making laws for the country.

The teacher explains that the Legislature:

• Makes laws.

• Amends existing laws.

• Represents the interests of citizens.

• Monitors the activities of the Executive.

• Approves government spending.

The teacher explains that the National Assembly consists of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention the functions of the Legislature and identify the two chambers of the National Assembly.

Step 5: The Judiciary

The teacher explains that the Judiciary is responsible for interpreting laws and settling legal disputes.

The teacher explains that the Judiciary:

• Interprets laws.

• Settles legal disputes.

• Hears and determines cases.

• Protects the rights of citizens according to the law.

• Ensures justice.

The teacher explains that the Chief Justice of Nigeria is the head of the Federal Judiciary.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils mention the functions of the Judiciary and identify the Chief Justice of Nigeria as its head.

Step 6: Differences Between the Three Arms

The teacher presents the differences:

• Executive: Implements and enforces laws.

• Legislature: Makes laws.

• Judiciary: Interprets laws and settles legal disputes.

The teacher explains that the Legislature makes laws, the Executive carries out the laws, while the Judiciary interprets the laws when necessary and settles disputes.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils state the major differences between the three arms of government.

Step 7: Group Activity

The teacher divides pupils into three groups.

• Group 1: Mention five functions of the Executive.

• Group 2: Mention five functions of the Legislature.

• Group 3: Mention five functions of the Judiciary.

Each group presents its answers to the class.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils discuss, write, and present their answers to the class.

Step 8: Lesson Summary

The teacher reviews the main points of the lesson, focusing on the differences in the functions and responsibilities of the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer oral questions and summarise what they have learned.

Step 9: Evaluation

The teacher gives pupils a different set of 20 questions as oral questions, a quiz, take-home work, or a quick test to assess their understanding of the differences between the three arms of government.

Pupils’ Activities: Pupils answer the questions individually or in groups.

CONCLUSION

To conclude the lesson for the week, the teacher revises the entire lesson and links it to the following week’s lesson.

NEXT LESSON

Pressure Groups: Meaning and Types of Pressure Groups and Pressure Groups in Nigeria | Primary 5 (Basic 5) Second Term Week 8 Civic Education

LESSON EVALUATION 

Teacher asks pupils to,

1. Mention the three arms of government.

2. State three functions of the Executive arm.

3. List three functions of the Legislative arm.

4. Mention three functions of the Judicial arm.

5. State one major difference between the Executive and Legislature.

7. State one major difference between the Legislature and Judiciary.