Grade Six Social Studies
Hello Boys and Girls,
Our elections to choose a new government are tomorrow, March 2nd, 2020 and so it is timely that we continue to learn about the branches of government.
The Branches of Government The government of our country is not run by one person or a select group of people; instead, the country is governed by three separate branches, which complement each other. Let’s find out how these three branches work together in governing the country. What comes to your mind when you hear about branches? Maybe you are seeing a picture of a tree. Give that tree three branches. What does it look like? Does it look like the picture below?
Well, our government is just like a tree. It is divided into three branches. Read the names of the branches.
1. The Legislative Branch
2. The Executive Branch
3. The Judicial Branch
We, the citizens of Guyana, are the roots of the tree. You would have learnt that the roots are the foundation of a tree and provide nourishment, water and food for the growth and development of the tree. In the same way, the will of the people are the foundation of the government. The people have strong influence over what happens in government, since they have the power to vote leaders in or out of office at elections. This is why it is important that every citizen vote at national and regional elections, once he/she is eighteen years old and over.
Each branch of government has specific functions and powers and a specific leader or group of leaders. Let’s take a look.
Legislative Branch
The Legislative Branch of Government is made up of the National Assembly. Its chief functions or roles include:
● Making laws, including the highest law in the country, the constitution ● Changing and amending laws
● Repealing or cancelling laws which are no longer relevant to the society ● Approving National Budgets
● Confirming executive appointees to courts and ministries
The sixty-five members of the National Assembly conduct their meetings at Public Buildings, which is commonly known as the Parliament Buildings.
The President is not a member of the National Assembly, but he/she may attend and address the Assembly at any time. The President has to sign any bill passed in the National Assembly before the bill becomes law.
The Speaker of the National Assembly
The Speaker performs the duty of Chairman in the National assembly. He/she directs meetings.
Grammar
1) wash (vt) 4) walked(vi)
Comprehension
1) According to the passage, another name for Mashramani is ‘Mash’. 2) One word which is used in the passage to describe the festival is ‘colourful.’
A word which is similar in meaning to ‘coronation’ is crowning. During the month of February, buildings are decorated with buntings and flags.
According to the passage, Mashramani is important to all Guyanese because it brings together the unique qualities, heritage and culture of all the ethnic groups. 3) 4)
5) 3.