Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities of Citizens Social Studies Vishnu Boys’ Hindu College

Excerpt from our Constitution: Whereas the People of Trinidad and Tobago- (a). Have affirmed that the Nation of Trinidad and Tobago is founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God, faith in fundamental human rights and freedoms, the position of family in a society of free man and free institutions, the dignity of the human person and the equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed by their creator. The Constitution of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, p.11.

Activity: From the excerpts read by the teacher, students will derive a definition for term “constitution.”

Rights of Citizens: 1.The right of an individual to life, liberty, security of person and enjoyment of property. 2.The right of an individual to equality before the law and protection by the law. 3. The right of an individual to respect for his private and family life. 4. The right to join political parties and to express political views. 5. The right to equality of treatment from any public authority.

Freedom of Citizens: 1. Freedom of movement. 2.Freedom of thought and expression. 3. Freedom of the press. 4. Freedom of conscience and religious belief and observance. 5.Freedom of association and assembly. Note: Right: A just claim or title whether it is legal or moral. Freedom: The absence of control or restraint in relation to a particular action.

Activity: Role playing: Five students will be involved in a skit. One will act as a victim of a crime and one will act as a criminal. The criminal armed with a knife is attempting to rob the victim of his belongings on the pavement in the middle of Henry Street, Port- of-Spain. The other three students will act as pedestrians who went about their business totally ignoring the incident of crime that was taking place right in front of them.

Activity: Students will be asked after the skit to identify five possible solutions to crime.

Students will recap the main points of the lesson. Closure: Students will recap the main points of the lesson.

Homework: Review work done for structured examination.