ACTIZEN Activity 5
Know Your Local Government
Type of Activity- Research Based Activity
Introduction
The local government is closest to the people. It is convenient for people to approach the local government for solving their problems both quickly and with minimum cost. But do we know, how does it function? Where is the Panchayat/Municipality constituted? Let us understand our local government and its operation in our neighbourhood.
Pic sources –
- Municipal corporation – https://in.worldorgs.com/catalog/margao/police-department/margo-municipal-council
- Gram Panchayat – https://vpchicalim.in
What is Local Government?
The local government looks after the administration of an area or small community such as villages, towns, or cities. It operates both in urban and rural areas of the state. Therefore, the local bodies constituted for local planning, development and administration in the rural areas are referred to as Panchayats and the local bodies, which are functioning for local planning, development and administration in the urban areas are referred to as Municipalities.
Disclaimer – This activity aims to make students aware of their local Municipal Corporation/Village Panchayat, get them familiar with its structure, functioning, etc. through research. This activity is not meant to teach students about local governance as covered by and taught using the syllabus.
Expected Outcomes
- Students will become aware of the role and functioning of the local government.
- Students will get to know about the local government of their village/town/city.
- Students will learn to approach the local government for their neighbourhood issues.
Teachers’ Section-Executive Summary
| Section | Tasks/Steps | Time Required | Responsibility |
| Section 1 – Explanation Session
(Online activity for teachers) |
|
30 minutes | Teacher |
| Section 2 –
Research Work (Offline activity for students) |
|
1 hour | Students |
| Section 3 –
Research Discussion and Letter Writing |
|
30- 45 minutes | Teacher |
Steps for the Activity
Section 1 – Explanation Session (Can be conducted during the Monthly Club Meeting/Online Class)
- Refer to the Instruction Handout and explain the ‘Role and Functions of the Local Government’ to the students.
- Start the session with these videos -
Local Government (In Hindi) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1Edy7MKSp4
State vs Local Government - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gESGVI637dM
3. Debrief the videos with the following questions – What is a local government?
-
- What are the major functions of the local government?
- Which local government is present in your locality? (Gram Panchayat or Municipal Corporation?)
- What issues/problems can be reported to our local governments, and how?
- Have you ever noticed the office of the Gram Panchayat or Municipal Corporation of your area? Yes/No? If yes, where is it located?
4. Assign the research task to the students as given below-
a.Do research based on the following questions-
| If your school is situated in an ‘Urban’ area | If your school is situated in a ‘Rural’ area |
|
|
b.Select any 1 local issue or problem which can be reported to your local government office.
c.Make notes of your research assignment before coming to the next ACTIZENS’ Club period.
Section 2 – Research Work (To be done by students offline)
- Research about your local government as suggested by the teacher
- Think about the civic issues/problems in your area
- Discuss the activity with your parents/elders
- Make a summary of your research work
Section 3 – Research Discussion and Letter Writing (Online class)
- In the next class, discuss the answers with students based on their research. Try to involve as many students as you can to make the session more interactive.
- Ask them about the problems or issues which they have identified to be reported in the local Gram Panchayat/Municipal Corporation office.
- Next, ask them to do this activity –
‘Write an application to the Mayor/Sarpanch regarding the issues in your neighbourhood.’
*Encourage them to use their creativity and imagination while writing the letter; do not restrict them with the standard letter writing format.
5. Closing of the session –
Debrief the session with the following comments –
Hope this activity gave you an opportunity to learn more about your local government, its functions, importance, etc. As a citizen of our country, we should also take care of our home, our school, our neighbourhood. Our government is certainly supposed to provide certain services and address civic problems and issues. However, as citizens, we need to work hand in hand with the government to support the growth of our country. By doing these small-small things, we can also participate in the development of our area and our neighbourhood.
6. Ask the students to submit the ‘Reflection Sheet’ and upload this application and the research findings along with the Reflection Sheet.
7. Please share your feedback related to the activity.
Students' Section - Research Task
- After the ‘Classroom Discussion’, you can refer to Know Your Corporation document for your information.
- Research the following questions
| If your school is situated in an ‘Urban’ area | If your school is situated in a ‘Rural’ area |
|
|
3. Select any 1 local issue or problem which can be reported to your local government office.
4. Make notes of your research assignment before coming to the next ACTIZENS’ Club period.
Feedback Form for Teachers (To be filled by teachers individually)
Teachers kindly log in to fill-up the form
very good activity
Greetings!
After receiving the feedback on September activity we realised that necessity of awareness is more important then implementation, because if you are not aware so you couldn’t implement …
Government obligations under international human rights law extend to all levels and branches. While national and regional governments too have important roles to play in the promotion and protection of human rights, local governments are at the forefront of bringing human rights to all.
Local governments are in contact with people in the most direct way. They receive demands, claims, and complaints from residents, while developing and enacting policies that directly affect lives. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted their critical role in addressing the political and social challenges of the pandemic.
Thanks for being their..