GESS 2025 SS Issue 1 Summary Notes

GAN ENG SENG SCHOOL Humanities Department – Social Studies “To nurture knowledgeable and committed citizens with a global outlook and skills for the future” Name: ____________________ ( ) Class: _______ Date: _______ Social Studies Issue 1 Summary Notes Note: These summary notes contain samples of how you can provide Examples and Explanations for Structured Response Question 7. These notes are meant to supplement studying of the Social Studies Coursebook.

Issue 1: Exploring Citizenship and Governance Guiding Questions Core Content 1. What does citizenship mean to me? • Attributes shaping understanding of citizenship o Legal status o A sense of identity o Shared values o Civic participation 2. What are the functions and roles of Government in working for the good of society? • Functions of government o Legislature, Executive, Judiciary • Roles of government o Maintain law and order o Ensure economic and social well-being of citizens o Promote and protect country’s national interests 3. How do we decide what is good for society? • Challenges in deciding what is good for society o Differing needs and interests o Differing priorities o Unequal sharing of costs • Managing trade-offs • Principles shaping governance o Having good leadership o Anticipating change and staying relevant o A stake for everyone, opportunities for all o Practising meritocracy 4. How can we work together for the good of society • Addressing the needs of society • Influencing decision-making in public affairs • Strengthening citizens’ sense of belonging

3 Summary Notes for Chapter 1: What are the Attributes Shaping Citizenship? POINT Citizenship by Legal Status Citizenship by Sense of National Identity Citizenship by Shared Values Citizenship by Civic Participation EXAMPLE • Citizenship can be shaped by legal status. This includes the rights and obligations of citizenship. Rights of citizens: • For example, citizens enjoy the rights to freedom of speech and religion. This means we are protected by law to say what we want and practise the religion we choose. Obligations of citizens: • For example, we have the duty to practise responsible free speech and maintain social harmony between different races or religions. • National Service (NS) is mandatory for men when they reach the age of 18. • Citizenship can be shaped by having a sense of national identity. • This is a shared belief of connectedness that we belong to the same country, created through common experiences, practices and spaces. Examples of common experiences, practices and spaces: • For example, Singaporeans have common experiences like serving NS or celebrating National Day together. • We speak a common language like English in work and education, and Singlish in everyday life. • We eat together at hawker centres and are proud of our hawker culture. • Citizenship is shaped by shared values. • This means common principles and beliefs embraced by all of us. Multiculturalism: • For example, Singaporeans embrace the shared value of multiculturalism. • We value the importance of living in harmony in a multiracial and multireligious society. • We make conscious effort to understand and develop good relationships with people from different races and religions. • Citizenship can be shaped by civic participation. • This refers to citizens actively contributing time, effort and money in matters of general interest and concern. As individuals: • For example, Andy Teo initiated ‘Temporary Academic Assistance’ to connect students to volunteer tutors when schools moved to Home-Based Learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. • In just a week, 250 volunteered to teach for free. As informal groups: • For example, a group of friends started ‘GoodHood.SG’, a mobile app to promote neighbourliness. • Through the app, neighbours can connect meaningfully and offer help. As formal groups: • For example, Zero Waste Singapore is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) leading sustained efforts towards zero waste, like through education on the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). EXPLAIN (SAMPLE) How this shapes citizenship: • Citizen rights ensure our well-being and allow us to establish ourselves as members of the community. • Obligations ensure we contribute to a safer and better society. • Legal status thus helps citizens to see ourselves as one nation and be willing to work together. How this shapes citizenship: • These common experiences, practices and spaces develops a sense of familiarity and common identity. • We feel closer to one another and the country as we belong to the same community. • This results in a willingness to care for one another and to work together to improve the nation. How this shapes citizenship: • Shared values may influence collective decision-making and exercise of judgement. • As a society, we will embrace behaviours leading to harmony and not tolerate racist behaviour that can cause conflicts. • This results in stronger relationships and willingness to work together as one nation. How this shapes citizenship: • Civic participation helps address specific needs in society. • Those helping and those being helped develop stronger relationships and a stake in the country. • We thus see ourselves as one nation.

4 Summary Notes for Chapter 2: How do the Functions of Government Lead to the Good of Society? POINT Legislature Executive Judiciary EXAMPLE Legislature • The Legislature consists of the President & the Parliament. • They are responsible for making and passing laws. • For example, when the Covid-19 pandemic first started, the government passed the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act that made the wearing of masks compulsory by law. Executive • The Executive consists of the President and Cabinet, supported by ministries and government agencies. • They are responsible for enforcing and implementing laws and policies. • For example, officers from National Environment Agency (NEA) were authorised to issue fines to offenders who didn’t wear masks during the pandemic. • Safe Distancing Ambassadors were employed to remind the public to abide by the law to wear masks. Judiciary • The Judiciary consists of the Supreme Court, State Courts and Family Justice Courts. • They are responsible for interpreting and applying laws. • Individuals who were caught repeatedly defying the law to wear masks were summoned to the courts for sentencing. • For instance, a person was sentenced to two weeks’ jail and fined $2000 for failing to wear a mask and being a public nuisance. EXPLAIN (SAMPLE) How this leads to the good of society: • The Legislature ensures that important national issues are constantly being examined and discussed. • A consensus needs to be reached so that any new law passed is valid and fair. • The laws help us to decide how to allocate resources to best meet the different needs of society. How this leads to the good of society: • The Executive ensures that the laws and policies of the government can be implemented effectively. • They also provide constant feedback to policy makers so that policies can be fine- tuned to meet changing needs. How this leads to the good of society: • The Judiciary ensures that Singaporeans respect and follow the laws, or they may be convicted and punished. • Individuals who are charged are allowed to give their side of the story to ensure fairness. • With respect for the law, this ensures a safe and stable society.

5 Summary Notes for Chapter 2: What are the Roles of Governme