Integrated Social Science Introduction

Introduction to Integrated Social Science

• Grades 8 and 9 students in Zambia will study a new subject called Integrated Social Science.
• This subject combines aspects of Civic Education, Geography, and History.
• The goal of Integrated Social Science is to help students understand human relationships and behavior.
• It aims to develop responsible citizens who are prepared to participate in society.

Importance of Integrated Social Science

• Emphasizes the importance of social skills and conscience in navigating scientific and technological advancements.
• It aims to prevent the misuse of science and technology for exploitation and suppression of human beings.
• Helps learners develop positive values and respect for human life.
• Equips students with productive skills for self-reliance.

Scheming and Lesson Planning

• A scheme of work outlines teacher activities for achieving specific outcomes.
• It includes topics, subtopics, key concepts, aims, and learning activities.
• A lesson plan is a detailed outline of teacher and student activities for a specific lesson.
• It includes specific outcomes, teaching and learning activities, resources, evaluation methods, and lesson evaluation.

Time Allocation

• Five periods of forty minutes each are recommended for teaching Integrated Social Science.

Political Party Organisation

• A group of people working together to achieve shared political goals.
• This involves promoting a specific political agenda.
• The party seeks to influence government policies and decisions.

One-Party Political System

• Characterized by the existence of a single political party holding exclusive power.
• This system often limits individual and political freedoms.

Multi-Partism

• Involves the existence of multiple political parties competing for power.
• It allows for a wider range of choices for voters.
• Advantages:
  • Increased political freedom
  • Promotes competition among political parties
• Disadvantages:
  • Potential for interparty conflicts
  • May lead to instability and lack of sustainable development
  • Can be costly to manage

Types of Elections

• Presidential: Direct election of the head of state.
• Parliamentary: Election of members of parliament, who then choose a Prime Minister.
• Local Government (General or Tripartite): Elections for local councilors and mayors.
• By-elections: Elections held to fill a vacancy that has occurred in a legislature or other elected body.

Electoral Procedures

• Delimitations: The process of dividing a country into electoral districts.
• Registration: Enrolment of eligible voters to participate in elections.
• Nomination: The process of selecting candidates to stand in an election.
• Campaigning: The period before the election where candidates seek support from voters.
• Voting: The actual act of casting a ballot to choose a candidate.
• Management: The Electoral Commission plays a significant role in:
  • Monitoring the elections.
  • Enforcing the code of conduct for candidates and parties.

Electoral Malpractices

• Rigging: Illegal activities designed to manipulate the outcome of an election.
• Examples:
  • Vote buying
  • Intimidation of voters
  • Misleading information

Organs of Government

• Central Government:
  • Legislature: Parliament, responsible for making laws.
  • Executive: The President and their cabinet, responsible for implementing laws.
  • Judiciary: The court system, responsible for interpreting and applying laws.

Functions of Government

• Legislature: Makes laws.
• Executive: Implements the laws.
• Judiciary: Enforces the laws.

History of Local Government in Zambia

• The history of local government in Zambia can be analyzed through different periods.

Functions of Local Government

• Collection of levies: Local governments collect taxes from residents.
• Services: Local governments provide essential services, such as water, sanitation, and education.
• By-laws: Local governments create and enforce rules to regulate local affairs.

Role of Traditional Rulers in Zambia

• Provide leadership in the community: Traditional rulers are respected figures who often serve as community leaders.
• Custodians of traditional values and land: Traditional rulers are responsible for upholding traditional customs and protecting ancestral land.
• Three representatives from each province: The House of Chiefs is composed of representatives from each of the provinces.

Role of the House of Chiefs in Zambia

• Advise the government on traditional issues: The House of Chiefs serves as a link between the government and traditional communities.
• Promote the preservation of traditional values: The House of Chiefs works to ensure the continuation of traditional practices and beliefs.

Relief Levels of Zambia

• Land below 900 meters: Lower elevations are often fertile and suitable for agriculture.
• Land between 900 and 1200 meters: This elevation range includes areas with hills and plateaus.
• Land above 1200 meters: Higher elevations are characterized by mountains and plateaus.

Major Drainage Features of Zambia

• Lakes: Zambia has several significant lakes, including Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika, and Lake Malawi.
• Rivers: Major rivers include the Zambezi River, the Kafue River, and the Luangwa River.
• Swamps: Swamps are often found in areas with poor drainage and high rainfall.

Cultural Features of Zambia

• Road and railway network: Zambia's infrastructure includes a network of roads and railways.
• Settlements: Zambia has various types of settlements, from small villages to large cities.
• Plantations: Plantations are common, especially in the agricultural sector.
• Bridges: Bridges connect different parts of the country and are vital for transportation.

Corruption & Zambia

• The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) spearheads the fight against corruption in Zambia.
• Community members can fight corruption by refusing to offer or accept bribes and by reporting corrupt activities.

Budget and Economic Development

• Budgets can be individual or national.
• Components of a budget include income and expenditure.
• National budget sources include taxes and donor funding.
• Budgets are important for controlling spending, ensuring transparency and equity, and holding officials accountable.
• Challenges to budget implementation include tax evasion, corruption, theft, fraud, and lack of accountability.

Trade and Economic Development

• Local trade involves buying and selling goods and services within a country.
• International trade involves buying and selling goods and services between countries.
• The chain of distribution for goods includes producers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers.
• Challenges to local and international trade include poor transport and communication, unfair competition, low-quality products, counterfeit goods, porous borders, and inadequate harmonized standards.
• Crimes associated with trade include smuggling, counterfeiting, human and drug trafficking, fraud, and corruption.

Regional Organizations

• SADC (Southern African Development Community), COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa), NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa's Development), AU (African Union), are examples of regional organizations that Zambia is a member of.
• Regional organizations have structures that include various governing bodies and committees.
• Functions of regional organizations include standardizing, assuring quality, accrediting, and ensuring the metrology of products and services.
• Benefits of Zambia’s membership in regional organizations include easier trade through standardized products and services.

Mining and Industrial Development

• Major Minerals mined in Zambia: copper, cobalt, coal, precious stones, and nickel.
• Mining methods used in Zambia include both open-pit and shaft mining.
• Mining's contribution to socio-economic development includes: employment, foreign exchange, economic development, social amenities, and infrastructure development.
• Environmental impact of mining includes pollution and land degradation.