CCE · Secondary 1 · The Architecture of Governance · Semester 1

The Elected Presidency: Custodial Role

Exploring the custodial role of the President in safeguarding national reserves and the integrity of the public service.

• MOE Syllabus Outcomes
• MOE: Governance and Society - S1
• MOE: National Identity - S1

About This Topic

Parliamentary Democracy in Singapore is the mechanism through which the people's voice is translated into law and policy. This topic covers the process of elections, the role of Members of Parliament (MPs), and the rigour of parliamentary debates. For Secondary 1 students, it is an introduction to how a diverse society reaches consensus and makes decisions that affect everyone.

This topic is central to the MOE Citizenship Education syllabus, as it fosters an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of voters and representatives. It emphasizes the importance of constructive debate and the need to balance local constituency needs with national interests. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of a parliamentary debate and experience the challenge of representing different viewpoints.

Key Questions

1. What is the government's role in managing national wealth for future generations?
2. Who should decide how national reserves are spent during a crisis?
3. How does a non-partisan Head of State contribute to national stability?

Learning Objectives

• Explain the President's constitutional mandate to safeguard national reserves.
• Analyze the criteria the President uses to withhold consent on government spending proposals.
• Compare the President's custodial role with the executive functions of the Cabinet.
• Evaluate the importance of a non-partisan Head of State in maintaining public trust.
• Identify specific examples of presidential assent on key financial bills.

Before You Start

Branches of Government in Singapore

Why: Students need a basic understanding of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to comprehend the President's distinct role.

Singapore's Economic Fundamentals

Why: Understanding concepts like national wealth and long-term financial planning is necessary to grasp the significance of safeguarding national reserves.

Key Vocabulary

National Reserves	The accumulated wealth of Singapore, managed by the government and overseen by the President to ensure long-term financial stability.
Custodial Role	The President's function as a trustee or guardian, specifically responsible for protecting national reserves and the integrity of public institutions.
Presidential Assent	The formal approval given by the President to a bill passed by Parliament, allowing it to become law, or to a proposed government expenditure.
Public Service Commission	An independent body responsible for appointing and promoting officers in the public service, whose integrity is overseen by the President.
Second Key	Refers to the President's power to veto certain government decisions, particularly those involving the use of national reserves or key appointments.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Parliament and the Government are exactly the same thing.

What to Teach Instead

The Government (Executive) is formed by the party with the majority in Parliament, but Parliament itself includes all elected members, including the Opposition. Active learning through a seating chart simulation helps students visualize the different groups in the House.

Common Misconception

Laws are passed instantly by the Prime Minister.

What to Teach Instead

Laws must go through several rounds of debate and voting in Parliament before being sent to the President for assent. A 'flowchart' activity where students move a bill through various stages helps correct this.

Active Learning Ideas

Mock Parliament: Passing a Bill

Assign students roles as Government MPs, Opposition MPs, and the Speaker. They must debate a fictional bill, such as 'The Mandatory School Recycling Act,' following formal procedures like the First, Second, and Third Readings.

60 min·Whole Class

Think-Pair-Share: The MP's Dilemma

Present a scenario where a new highway benefits the nation but requires a popular local park in an MP's ward to be demolished. Students reflect on how the MP should vote, discuss with a partner, and share their reasoning with the class.

20 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle: Select Committees

Small groups act as a Select Committee investigating a social issue like 'Digital Inclusion.' They must 'interview' other students playing the roles of concerned citizens and experts to draft a recommendation for Parliament.

45 min·Small Groups

Real-World Connections

• The Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) provides advice to the President on matters related to the reserves and key public service appointments, ensuring a second check on government actions.
• The Ministry of Finance regularly prepares budget proposals that require the President's assent if they involve drawing on past reserves, illustrating the direct link between executive action and presidential oversight.
• International credit rating agencies assess a country's financial health. Singapore's strong financial management, partly ensured by the Presidential safeguards, contributes to its high credit ratings.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine a sudden economic downturn requires the government to propose spending from national reserves. What factors should the President consider before giving assent?' Facilitate a class discussion where students debate the balance between immediate needs and future security.

Quick Check

Provide students with short scenarios describing proposed government actions (e.g., funding a new infrastructure project, appointing a new chief of a statutory board). Ask them to write 'Assent' or 'Withhold Assent' and briefly justify their choice based on the President's custodial role.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write one sentence defining the President's custodial role and one sentence explaining why this role is important for Singapore's long-term stability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does an election work in Singapore?

Singapore uses a First-Past-The-Post system within both Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) and Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). Citizens aged 21 and above vote for a candidate or a team to represent them in Parliament. This ensures that different geographical areas and minority races have a voice in the legislature.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching Parliamentary Democracy?

Mock trials and parliamentary simulations are highly effective. By requiring students to research arguments, follow formal protocols, and respond to counter-arguments in real-time, they learn that democracy is about more than just voting; it is about the rigorous and respectful exchange of ideas to find the best path forward for the country.

What is the role of the Speaker of Parliament?

The Speaker is like a referee. They do not take part in debates but ensure that all MPs follow the rules of the House, remain respectful, and have a fair chance to speak. Students can take turns playing this role during mock debates to understand the importance of order in a democracy.

Why do we have GRCs in Singapore?

Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) were created to ensure that Parliament is multi-racial. Each GRC team must include at least one member from a minority community. This ensures that the interests of all ethnic groups are represented in the law-making process, a concept students can explore by 'forming' their own diverse teams.