Social Studies · Primary 6

Active learning ideas

The Role of the President and Parliament

Active learning works well for this topic because students often struggle to separate the President’s ceremonial and custodial roles from the Prime Minister’s executive duties. By engaging in simulations and investigations, students can see how these roles interact in real governance scenarios rather than memorizing abstract definitions.

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

• 25–40 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Simulation Game
• 35 min · Pairs

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'.

Differentiate between the roles and powers of the President and the Prime Minister.

Facilitation Tip

In the Think-Pair-Share, provide a graphic organizer with criteria for presidential eligibility to guide students’ discussions.

What to look for

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.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Decision-Making

Activity 02

• Inquiry Circle
• 40 min · Small Groups

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.

Explain the process of how laws are made in Singapore's Parliament.

What to look for

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.'

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 25 min · Pairs

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.

Assess the importance of checks and balances in a system of governance.

What to look for

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.

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teachers should start with concrete examples before introducing constitutional concepts, as students grasp the President’s veto power better when they see a real budget scenario. Avoid overwhelming students with too many legal details early on; focus first on the ‘why’ behind the system’s structure. Research suggests that role-playing the ‘two-key’ system helps students internalize checks and balances more effectively than lectures alone.

Successful learning looks like students accurately distinguishing between the President’s and Parliament’s roles in governance, explaining the ‘two-key system’ with examples, and using constitutional terminology correctly. They should also justify why Singapore’s system includes both elected and appointed powers to protect national interests.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During the Simulation: The Two-Key System, watch for students who assume the President can veto any law without explaining their reasoning.

  Redirect students to the ‘Constitutional Guide’ they received, asking them to locate the exact clauses that limit the President’s veto powers to national reserves and key appointments.

• During the Think-Pair-Share: Who Can Be President?, listen for students who mention popularity or wealth as eligibility criteria.

  Use the eligibility criteria card provided in the activity to prompt students to reference the constitutional requirements, such as being a Singapore citizen and meeting the age and experience thresholds.

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Methods used in this brief

• Simulation Game
• Inquiry Circle
• Think-Pair-Share