Objectives:
INSTITUTIONS
At the end of this lesson students should be able to:
& Identify THREE types of institutions which exist in
society
& State the characteristics of Social Institutions
& Examine the importance of RELIGION, RECREATION
and EDUCATION as institutions
& Examine the different levels of the education
system in Jamaica
INSTITUTIONS:
An institution is an organization, establishment or
foundation that is created to pursue or serve a particular
need in the society. While they serve to meet the basic
needs of society, social institutions have acceptable and
unacceptable patterns of behaviour.
BASIC NEEDS OF SOCIETY
The individuals in a society need to:
% have access to educational institutions at all levels
% be provided with goods and services that are
satisfactory and meet the desires of consumers
% live in an environment that is peaceful and orderly
% have access to places which allow for recreational
activities and relaxation
% have access to organizations which offer aid or
support in times of crisis
% be able to continue to have new members
These needs are fulfilled/satisfied by institutions which
include:
% The Family (procreation)
% Educational Institutions (schools, colleges and other
tertiary institutions)
% Financial and Economic Institutions (e.g.
manufacturing establishments, banks, credit unions)
% Religious Institutions (e.g. churches, mosques and
temples)
% Health Care Facilities (e.g. hospitals and health
centres)
% Recreational Institutions (e.g. gyms, parks, theatres)
% Government/Political Institutions, such as political
parties
THE DAILY OBSERVER Tuesday, March 21, 2017 Page 15
JOL SOCIAL STUDIES continued from previous page
They serve
a particular need;
perform a specific
function in the society.
Social institutions
exist because society
depends on them to
serve different needs.
For example:
Religious institutions
help to teach morals
as well as values and
mores of society.
They can be modified:
Institutions can change
to meet the growing
needs of society.
Examples:
(a) Most traditional high
schools now offer
technical and/or
vocational courses.
(b) Apartments and
high-rise buildings
have been constructed
to meet the need for
housing: several
persons have homes
on one plot of land.
The main
characteristics
of institutions are the
norms, mores
and values.
The structure
of institutions
is based on a social
hierarchy.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF
INSTITUTIONS
They have
written rules and regulations
as well as
symbols and rituals.
They endure
over time.
Institutions will
always be in existence,
because not only are
they preserved by laws
but they meet
specific needs.
For example:
Educational
institutions exist
to teach, train and
inform the population.
They give rewards
and sanctions:
Institutions reward
individuals for acceptable
behaviours and enforce
sanctions for behaviours
that are unacceptable.
For example:
Rewards include
certificates and medals;
sanctions include
suspension or expulsion.
Let’s examine the importance of RECREATION, RELIGION and RELIGION
EDUCATION as institutions.
Religion includes the belief in a supreme being. There are
RECREATION
Every human being needs fun and relaxation. Recreation
helps humans to function more effectively and efficiently
at school or work. It helps to reduce stress, improve
happiness, build character, improve social interaction and
even contributes to effective time management. It is for
these reasons that entertainment facilities, parks, gyms,
etc are built or established.
several religions in the Jamaica and the main one,
Christianity, has many denominations. Religion reinforces
the importance of having good attitudes and values.
It helps people to understand why they exist and often helps
them to better deal with crises whenever they occur.
Why is Religion important as an institution?
% It teaches ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. For example: not to
steal or to tell lies and how to be a ‘role model’.
THE MAIN LEVELS OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM
IN JAMAICA
The FOUR main levels which cater to different ages in the
% It teaches social virtues: discipline, honesty, population are:
kindness, love and acceptance of others.
LEVEL 1: Kindergarten/Basic School:
% It strengthens self-confidence. For example: the
This level caters to individuals who are in the 2+ to 5+ age
principle of ‘working is worship’ or evangelizing,
group. This level: prepares pupils for entry into primary
gives the individual strength and self-confidence.
schools; develops the children’s fine and gross motor skills;
% Religion promotes social values: Principles such as teaches children how to read, write and do basic
“…Children, obey your parents…” help to promote computations; helps children to develop socialization
and maintain social cohesion (willingness to
skills.
cooperate with others).
EDUCATION
LEVEL 2: Primary School:
Educational institutions include schools, colleges and
universities. In order to develop the skills and talents of
the population, individuals must be educated both
formally (through a structured system with established
standards) and informally (from everyday experiences). It
is the government’s job to provide formal education.
This level caters to children who are in the 5+ to 11+ age
group. This level: prepares individuals for entry into
secondary school and teaches more subjects than those
offered at the first level; for example: Spanish, Science and
Social Studies.
Why is Education important?
LEVEL 3: Secondary /Technical School:
• Education is the ‘legitimate means’ to upward
This level caters to children ages 11+ to 16+ years (18+ for
mobility in the society. That is, to move from ‘lower’
those who opt to go to sixth form). Here students are
through ‘middle’ to the ‘upper’ class.
prepared for entry into tertiary institutions or the world
• Education leads to Career Progression: It helps of work.
individuals to realize their career goals. It also
makes persons eligible for employment; it prepares
individuals for ‘the world of work’.
LEVEL 4: Tertiary:
• Education helps in the building of character in that
it teaches individuals the accepted and appropriate
behaviours. It helps individuals to acquire the norms
and values of society.
• Education is important for the social development
and economic growth of a nation.
This level caters to persons aged 18 + and over. Here
students specialize in specific subject areas such as
Education, Medicine, Engineering, Law, Media and
Communication.
GOVERNMENT POLICIES WHICH DEMONSTRATE
THE BELIEF THAT EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT
Provisions which the government has made to illustrate
the belief that education is important include:
• Granting of scholarships
• Provision of the book rental programmes
• Elimination of school fees at the secondary level
• Free primary education
• Paying 80% of tuition for students
government-funded tertiary institutions
at
• Revision of the curricula at all levels to suit the
needs of the students
• Building of schools and providing the necessary
human resources and equipment
• Retraining of teachers at all levels through
professional development workshops and seminars
• Supporting the concept of ‘inclusion’ for all students
• Instituting PATH benefits in the form of money and
meals for students
Objectives:
At the end of this lesson students should be able to:
" state the importance of Health and Political
Institutions
" state concepts relating to Political Institutions.
HEALTH
For its human resource to be developed and for a country
to grow economically the population must be healthy. If
people are frequently absent from work due to illness, this
will have a negative effect on production levels. The
economy of a country is dependent on a population which
is mentally and physically healthy. Health care is provided
by both the government and by private institutions. Public
institutions in the Caribbean countries (including Jamaica)
provide health care free of cost or at a minimal cost.
Health Care is divided into three main groups: Primary,
Secondary and Tertiary.
CLASSIFICATIONS/TYPES OF HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS
PRIMARY
! Also called Preventative Health Care.
! Deals with prevention of illnesses, diseases
or ailments
! Focuses on the promotion of wellness and
a healthy lifestyle
Examples of how the government tries to
prevent diseases:
• Provision of piped water for drinking and
domestic use
• Sweeping of the streets and collecting garbage
• Providing vaccination, mental health and
geriatric services
• Educating the population about good health
habits/practices
• Training of health care workers
• Provision of immunization
• The promotion of breast-feeding
SCONDARY ! Also called Curative Health Care
! Deals with early detection and the treatment or curing of illnesses/diseases/ ailments
! Examples of Secondary Health Care include:
• Diagnose ailments/diseases
• Provide and administer medication such as pills, injections
• Do corrective surgery, therapy
• Maintain hospitals and health facilities that focus on the curing of illnesses and diseases.
TERTIARY
! Involves Curative Health Care
! Mainly provides care and treatment for persons who have been diagnosed with diseases at a health
institution or at home
! Aims to rehabilitate individuals or reduce a person’s level of disability
! Provision of counselling, physical therapy, occupational therapy, care of mental illness
ACTIVITY 1
1. Write ONE reason why children must be immunized before entering High School.
2. List THREE reasons why exercise is important.
3. Give TWO reasons why the government places emphasis on Primary Health Care.
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
Political institutions are organizations which provide representation on behalf of the population. They create, enforce
and apply laws; mediate conflicts and formulate governmental policies on the economy and social systems. The term
‘Political Institutions’ may also refer to the structure of rules and principles relating to the voting process and
accountability within which political organizations operate.
Political institutions such as the government and political parties create means by which leadership and authority can
be exercised.
Here are some concepts and terms which are related to political institutions.
Adult Suffrage
Dictatorship
Manifesto
Authoritarian
Electoral Process
Oligarchy
Ballot
Electorate
Political Party
Constituency
Franchise
Totalitarianism
Constitution
Government
Separation of Power
Democracy
Independent Candidate
Referendum
ACTIVITY 2
Instructions: Use the information in the lists above to complete the table which follows.
CONCEPTS
DEFINITIONS
1
A group of officials who are elected by the people to conduct the affairs of the country on
their behalf
2
A system in which political decisions are made by an individual or a small group (within
the government) without the knowledge or consent of the citizens or other members
of the government
3
Citizens are given the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process of the
government, either directly or indirectly
4
The right of an individual to vote on reaching the age of 18
5
All the persons who are qualified and are registered to vote in an election
6
Set of principles and laws by which the people of a country have agreed to be governed
7
This event occurs when citizens in a country are required to vote on a particular matter
8
The method by which candidates/parties are elected to parliament. It includes the procedures for
voting and how political parties or individuals who are competing in an election are managed.
9
A geographic area comprising people/voters who are in the same area and who democratically
elect a representative to sit in the House of Representatives to act on their behalf
10
An individual who competes in a general election and who is not a member of a political party
11
A public written declaration of the objectives and policies of a political party or
independent candidate.
12
The right to vote in national elections
13
A system of government which is formed by one political group. There is no opposition party
14
This is a device used to cast votes in an election; it may be done electronically or on a piece of paper
15
A group of people who share similar political views, ideas and beliefs; together, they form an
organisation to gain political power in a country by winning elections
16
Rule by an individual or a group of individuals who have total/supreme power and authority
in the country
17
This is rule by a group of people, usually the elite
18
This is where each branch of government (Executive, Legislative and Judiciary – the arms,
powers) functions independently
ANSWERS FOR ACTIVITIES
Activity 1
3. Why does the government place emphasis on
Primary Health Care?
1. Why should children be immunized before entering
High School?
! Vaccination protects children from serious
illnesses and complications of diseases such
as measles and mumps.
! To prevent the passing on of diseases or
ailments which could lead to epidemics
a n d i n th e l ong r un p rove cost ly to
the government.
! Immunization can save families and the
government time and money. A child with a
vaccine-preventable disease can be denied
attendance at schools or child care facilities.
Some vaccine-preventable diseases can
result in:
– long term illness or a child becoming
disabled
– financial challenges for families because
of lost time at work, medical bills or
long-term disability care.
! Immunization protects future generations:
Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases,
eliminated diseases (e.g. smallpox) that
caused death or severe disability in the past.
2. Exercise is important as a health care method
because:
! It increases an individual’s energy level
! It improves the circulation of blood
! It helps to strength the human body,
including vital organs such as the heart
and lungs
! It reduces stress levels
! To ensure that the population remains free
from illnesses and diseases
! A healthy population means more productive
human resources
! Primary/preventative health care is less costly
than curative health care