Subject: Social Studies Type of Lesson: Internet use, group work, discussion,

multimedia.

Grade: 10 CSEC OBJ: Students should be able to:

A23 Evaluate the functions of government

Term: 2 Unit Number #1 - Government

and Title:

Duration: 235 minutes Week Number: 8

Lesson Number #28 Functions of Government

and Title: Maintain law and order
Defend the nation state

Objectives
As a result of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1) state the reasons why laws are needed in a country.
2) explain how the government ensures the safety of the country.
3) demonstrate an understanding of the need for citizens to
cooperate with government as it carries out its functions.

Prerequisite Student Knowledge

The student should be familiar with:
1) the overall structure of government from Grade 9.
2) the role of the executive arm of government in formulating policies
to guide the growth of the country from Grade 9.
3) the role of civil service in ensuring government policies are carried
out.
4) the role of the legislative and judicial arms of government from
Grade 9.
5) other functions of government.

Important Points
1) Laws are written rules of society which have been enacted and are
enforced by the government. Laws regulate many types of conduct.
Some may include the relationship between individual persons
(family law), the rights of one person infringed by another (assault
or murder), protection of property (theft and fraud) and standards

Teacher Instructional Material 1

 applied to weights and measures, trade descriptions and price
marking that people rely on for buying and selling goods.;
2) The function of the judiciary is to interpret and apply the laws in
particular cases and to see that justice is done among members of
society. Laws can be divided into those which concern private
matters (civil laws) and those concerning public issues (criminal
laws). Civil cases are tried in civil courts and usually carry a fine
as penalty. Criminal cases are tried in criminal courts. The penalty
may include a term of imprisonment for serious crimes. The laws
of the land applies to all citizens and to any non-citizen(alien) who
is in the country when he or she commits an offense ;
3) The role of the police force is to protect citizens and prevent
crimes. They also play an important role in the court system. They
investigate criminal offences, execute warrants, provide protection
for witnesses, settle disputes, record statements from accused
persons and secure evidence for use in trials. The police and the
judiciary complement the work of each other.
4) The police force also has responsibility for traffic control,
immigration and the registration of aliens. However they deal
principally with crime.
5) The defense of the country is another important function of
government. To ensure the protection of their borders from outside
aggression they maintain an army, navy and/or air force.

Key Terms

army civil laws criminal laws

judiciary laws legislature

Challenge Areas
Instruct students to write a short skit in which they differentiate
between the role of the police and the role of the army in their country.
Read the skit they have written and assistance them in putting on a
production in class.

Equipment/Materials Needed
Multimedia equipment, computers and internet connectivity enough
for individual or groups of students to use.

Teacher Instructional Material 2

Note to Teacher
Remind students that this lesson like the previous one is a continuation
of the topic Functions of Government. Inform yourself about the
topic and be prepared to answer any questions students may have on
the topic. Encourage students to make their own notes as the lesson
progresses. Ensure that the internet connection is up and running so
that students can go to the various links easily.

Teachers Lesson Notes

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Introduction
1) Introductory Activity

The Terrorist Attack video, discussion

a. Begin by asking students to indicate if they know who is a

terrorist. If so let them tell you what they know.

Expected Answer: A person who uses violence and threats

to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes.
Notes
Remind students b. Next play the video from the link below.
that in previous
lessons they
looked at the role http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5y1KNOk7NA&featur
of the police. e=relmfu
Instruct them to
keep in mind the
function of the c. Inform the students that this is a simulation and not a real
police as you go terrorist attack. Now let students give their impression of
through this
lesson.
the soldiers as they defended the country from terrorists.
Discuss with them the specific training they must have
received and the use of military equipment. Ask students to
name the various maneuvers they observed.

2) We Want Justice! picture, discussion

a. Ask students to look at the picture projected onto the

screen.

i Next let them suggest possible reasons for these

persons blocking the street. Who would usually be
called to clear the street and maintain order?

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 Expected answers: Persons may be blocking the
road to protest a police shooting, a hike in the price
of goods and services or some injustice experienced
by one of their own. The police would usually be
expected to maintain order in this situation.

b. Inform students that this lesson will focus on two other

functions of government namely, defending the country
from outside attack and maintaining law and order.

Body of Lesson
1) How does the government maintain law and order?
multimedia, video, discussion

a. Inform the students that it is the function of government to

maintain law and order in society. One way they do this is
through the police force. Instruct them to look at the
various police forces for some Caribbean countries.
IT Specialist: Please arrange these in a collage or slide or
something more creative.

Figure 28.1:
Jamaica

Trinidad

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 Grenada

Guyana

St. Lucia

Important Point

The term ACT is

another name for a
LAW. The laws of
the country are
outlined in a written
document called a b. Next let students read the article below projected onto the
CONSTITUTION
screen about the roles of the police force in Jamaica.

Box 28.1: The Jamaican Police Force

The responsibilities of the police are outlined in Section 13 of the

Constabulary Force Act as follows:

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 The duties of the Police under this act shall be to keep
the watch by day and night; to preserve the peace; to
detect crime; apprehend or summon before a Justice,
persons found committing any offence, or whom they
reasonably suspect of having committed any offence; to
serve and execute all summonses, warrants, subpoenas,
notices and criminal process issued by any Justice in a
criminal matter, and to do and perform all duties
appertaining to the office of Constable.

Based on that legislative mandate the police have defined their

role in a mission statement as follows:

The Mission of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and its

Auxiliaries is to Serve, Protect and Reassure the people in
Jamaica through the delivery of impartial and
professional Services aimed at maintenance of law and
order, protection of life and property, prevention and
detection of crime and the preservation of peace.

i. After they have read the article discuss with them

the sections highlighted.
ii. Ask them to assess the role of the police in their
country and how effective they have been in
maintaining law and order.
iii. Ask them to suggest ways in which the police can
more effectively carry out their mission.

c. Inform the students that one other way in which the

government maintains law and order is through the court
system. Remind them that they studied the court system in
previous lessons. Remind them that the court system falls
under the judicial arm of government.

d. Next instruct students to complete the activity below by

typing in the missing sections.

Caribbean Court of
What do you
think? Justice/ Privy Council
Ask students if they
think the Caribbean
Court of Justice
should be the final
court of appeal in
your country?
Supreme Court/High
Court

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 Expected answer: Court of Appeal (below Privy Council)
and Resident Magistrates Court or Magistrates Court
(below High Court)

i. Review with student s the role of each court and the

type of cases that are tried in each. Answer any
questions they may have about the activity or this
section.

2) How does the government defend the country?- group work,

discussion, video

a. Instruct students to read from the websites below about the

role of the Jamaica Defence Force in Jamaica.

http://www.jdfmil.org/FAQs/faqs7.php

IT Specialist: Only page 7 of the document

http://www.jis.gov.jm/news/leads/30785

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/latestnews/-315-million-
allocated-to-JDF

b. Now ask students to watch the following videos that show

the work of the Jamaica Defence Force air wing.
Try This!
Ask students to find http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/air_wing/video/jdfaw.wmv
out the qualifications
necessary to become
a member of the
security forces in their c. Next instruct students to read from the website below about
country. the work of the coast guard as they contribute to national
security.

http://www.jdfmil.org/Units/coast_guard/cg_operation.php

d. Answer any questions they may have about the clip or

the article. Ask them to write a paragraph in their notebooks
outlining what else do they think the security forces can do to

Teacher Instructional Material 8

 ensure that law and order is maintained? Let students share
with each other their paragraphs.
Closure
In Class Assignment
1) Ask students to study the picture below then answer the questions
which follow. Discuss the answers with them.

Figure 28.2:

1. Which social problem is depicted in the cartoon?

2. Who has the responsibility to deal with this social problem?
3. Which groups of persons make up the crime fighters?
4. What could be preventing the crime fighters from doing their
jobs?
5. If you were the Acting Security Minister what would you do
about the problem to ensure yourself a good night sleep?

Expected answers: 1-Crime; 2- Ministry of Security; 3- Police

and Soldiers; 4- Lack of resources (e.g. weapons,
transportation), Corruption, Low wages 5- Lobby in Parliament
for increase resource, insist on accountability at all levels of the
force, seek international assistance.

Supplemental
Out-of-Class Assignment
1) Suggest that students visit the various websites in the lesson and do
their own reading from related topics in the assigned textbooks.

2) Suggest to students that they visit the website below to learn about
the many laws that exists in Jamaica.

http://www.e-jamaica.gov.jm/laws/index.htm

Teacher Instructional Material 9

Glossary of Terms

army the military force of a nation

civil laws laws that deals with disputes between individuals

or organizations

criminal laws deals with crimes committed against the

state(e.g. murder)

judiciary the arm of government which interprets and

enforces the laws of country

laws a set of rules and regulations by which a country

is governed

legislature the arm of government which is responsible for

making laws

privy council the final Court of Appeal which sits in London,

England

social problem a condition in a society which contains

behaviour which a large number of people
consider undesirable or unacceptable

CSEC Questions

The police and the law courts work together to maintain law and order
in society

a) Identify TWO ways in which the police help to maintain law and
order in society (2 marks)

b) Name TWO types of law courts in the judicial system of your

country (2 marks)

c) Explain TWO ways in which the police help the court to do its
work (4 marks)

d) Suggest THREE ways in which your community may cooperate

with the police in maintaining security in your neighbourhood

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 (6 marks)
e) Give THREE reasons why you think your suggestion will work.
(6 marks)
Total 20 marks

Recommended Materials
Websites to visit:

http://www.notesmaster.com/notes/syllabus/viewer/1149-laws-
relating-to-the-family

http://wn.com/Public_Broadcasting_Corporation_of_Jamaica

http://www.mns.gov.jm/sites/default/files/National%20Security%20Po
licy%20for%20Jamaica.pdf (pages iii-vii)

Bibliography
Ramsawak, Rampersad. Umraw, Ralph. (2010) Modules in Social
Studies 5th Edition. La Romaine, Trinidad, W.I: Caribbean
Educational Publishers.

Ruddock, L.C. and Robinson-Glanville, S. (1994) New Civics for

Young Jamaicans. New Edition. Kingston: Carlong Publishers.

Sandy, Mervyn C. (2012). Social Studies Essentials Kingston,

Jamaica, W.I: Carlong Publishers.

Waterman, Ivan. Fisher, J. (2007) Social Studies for CSEC

Examinations 2nd Edition: Oxford, Macmillan Publishers

Source: Pictures of Police Forces in Caribbean countries:

Retrieved June 3, 2012 from:

http://www.google.com.jm/imgres?q=social+unrest+in+jamaica&num
=10&hl=en&biw=1152&bih=721&tbm=isch&tbnid=9dSnbFpykuibI
M:&imgrefurl=http://jamaica-
gleaner.com/gleaner/20100418/focus/focus4.html&docid=LNLbKQcg
isF7GM&imgurl=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/glean

http://www.google.com.jm/imgres?q=police+force+in+the+Caribbean
&start=12&num=10&hl=en&biw=1152&bih=721&tbm=isch&tbnid=j
vSuIfmNnOFEuM:&imgrefurl=http://www.fredhoogervorst.com/phot
o/03623578c/&docid=Jp4e5Ub7PNtDWM&imgurl=http://www.f

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http://www.google.com.jm/imgres?q=police+force+in+the+Caribbean
&start=12&num=10&hl=en&biw=1152&bih=721&tbm=isch&tbnid=
wzuGopP83lAJNM:&imgrefurl=http://www.caribjournal.com/2012/0
1/01/five-officers-now-charged-in-grenadian-boxing-day-
incident/&docid

http://www.google.com.jm/imgres?q=police+force+in+the+Caribbean
&start=68&num=10&hl=en&biw=1152&bih=721&tbm=isch&tbnid=
K-VguFIfOsoiiM:&imgrefurl=http://www.caribbeanpix.com/

http://www.google.com.jm/imgres?q=police+force+in+jamaica&num
=10&hl=en&biw=1152&bih=721&tbm=isch&tbnid=wegN4_QTVTZ
sLM:&imgrefurl=http://jamaica-
gleaner.com/gleaner/20100321/lead/lead7.html&docid=Rvr-
ZjIVhY4OBM&imgurl=http://jamaica-gleaner.com/g

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