Social Studies · Primary 6 · Governance and Citizenship · Semester 1

The Role of the President and Parliament

Understanding the functions of the Head of State and the legislative body in Singapore's political system.

• MOE Syllabus Outcomes
• MOE: Governance and Citizenship - P6

About This Topic

The President of Singapore is the Head of State and plays a unique role in the nation's governance. This topic explains the two main functions of the President: the ceremonial role (representing Singapore at home and abroad) and the custodial role (safeguarding the national reserves and the integrity of the public service). Students learn about the significance of the 'Elected Presidency' and how this office acts as a 'second key' to protect Singapore's future.

Understanding the President's role helps P6 students distinguish between the Head of State and the Head of Government (the Prime Minister). It connects to the MOE syllabus on 'Governance and Citizenship.' This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of 'checks and balances' through a 'Two-Key' simulation.

Key Questions

1. Differentiate between the roles and powers of the President and the Prime Minister.
2. Explain the process of how laws are made in Singapore's Parliament.
3. Assess the importance of checks and balances in a system of governance.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the functions of the President as Head of State and the Prime Minister as Head of Government.
• Explain the legislative process by which a bill becomes a law in Singapore's Parliament.
• Analyze the importance of checks and balances in Singapore's governance structure.
• Evaluate the role of the Elected Presidency in safeguarding national reserves and public service integrity.

Before You Start

Branches of Government

Why: Students need a basic understanding of different government branches (executive, legislative, judicial) to grasp the specific roles of the President and Parliament.

Singapore's System of Government

Why: Prior knowledge of Singapore's democratic framework provides a foundation for understanding the specific functions and interactions within its political system.

Key Vocabulary

Head of State	The ceremonial leader of a country, representing the nation domestically and internationally. In Singapore, this role is held by the President.
Head of Government	The chief executive officer of a government, responsible for running the administration and implementing policies. In Singapore, this role is held by the Prime Minister.
Parliament	The supreme legislative body of Singapore, responsible for making laws. It is composed of elected Members of Parliament.
Checks and Balances	A system in government where different branches or offices have powers that limit those of the others, preventing any one entity from becoming too powerful.
National Reserves	The accumulated wealth and assets of Singapore, managed by the government. The President has custodial powers over these reserves.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Students often confuse the President with the Prime Minister.

What to Teach Instead

The PM leads the government and makes daily policies, while the President is the Head of State and has specific 'veto' powers. A 'Who Does What?' sorting activity can help students clearly distinguish between the two roles.

Common Misconception

Pupils may think the President can change any law they want.

What to Teach Instead

The President's powers are specific and limited by the Constitution, mainly focusing on the reserves and key appointments. Using a 'Constitutional Guide' can help students see the exact boundaries of the President's authority.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Two-Key System

One student acts as the Government (proposing to spend money from the reserves) and another acts as the President (deciding whether to allow it based on specific rules). This helps the class visualize how the President protects the nation's 'savings'.

35 min·Pairs

Inquiry Circle: The President's Calendar

Groups look at news reports of the President's recent activities. They must categorize each activity as either 'Ceremonial' (e.g., meeting a foreign leader) or 'Community-focused' (e.g., visiting a charity), creating a visual chart of the President's diverse duties.

40 min·Small Groups

Think-Pair-Share: Who Can Be President?

Students discuss the qualities they think a President should have (e.g., honesty, experience, or kindness). They compare their lists and learn about the actual 'eligibility criteria' to understand why the role requires a high level of expertise.

25 min·Pairs

Real-World Connections

• Students can observe the President performing ceremonial duties, such as presenting state awards or representing Singapore at international summits, similar to how other heads of state function globally.
• The process of a bill becoming a law in Parliament, involving debates and readings, mirrors legislative processes in other democratic countries and can be followed through news reports on parliamentary sessions.
• The 'Two-Key' system, where both the government and the President must agree on the use of national reserves, serves as a practical example of checks and balances, ensuring fiscal prudence.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Present students with scenarios, such as 'The government proposes a new tax.' Ask them to identify whether the President or Parliament has the primary role in this action and explain why, referencing their respective powers.

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a class discussion using the prompt: 'Why is it important for Singapore to have both a President with custodial powers and a Parliament that makes laws? Discuss how this system helps protect the country's future.'

Exit Ticket

On an exit ticket, ask students to write one sentence explaining the difference between the President's role and the Prime Minister's role, and one sentence explaining how a bill becomes a law in Singapore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'custodial role' of the President?

The custodial role means the President acts as a guardian of Singapore's past reserves and the integrity of the public service. The President has the power to say 'no' if the government wants to spend money that was not earned during its current term, or if they want to appoint someone unsuitable to a key position.

What is the difference between the President and the Prime Minister?

The President is the Head of State, representing the nation and acting as a symbol of unity. The Prime Minister is the Head of Government, leading the Cabinet and making decisions on how the country is run. Think of the President as the 'guardian' and the PM as the 'manager' of the country.

How can active learning help students understand the role of the President?

Active learning strategies like 'Role-Playing a State Visit' or 'The Reserve Challenge' make the President's duties tangible. When students have to decide whether to 'veto' a spending plan in a simulation, they understand the weight of the responsibility. This moves the lesson from a list of facts to a practical understanding of 'checks and balances' in governance.

Why is the President elected by the people?

Since 1991, the President has been directly elected to give the office a popular mandate. This ensures the President has the moral authority to exercise their custodial powers, especially when they might need to disagree with the elected government on the use of reserves.