THE much-anticipated Education Bill is going through final scrutiny by the Attorney General’s Chambers and is likely to be tabled during the June-July parliament sitting.
This was highlighted by the Minister for Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), Lanelle Tanangada, during her contribution last week to the debate on the motion to thank the Governor General for delivering the Speech from the Throne on April 17.
MEHRD Minister said the government’s remaining programme for this year, includes tabling of important legislations for deliberation and consideration by the National Parliament.
“You have heard from the Speech from the Throne that my ministry’s long-awaited Education Bill is included in the list of Bills that would be tabled in the next sitting of Parliament.”
She informed Parliament that work on the Draft Education Bill started in 2013 and the bill is one of the few bills that the government has held wide consultations on.
In the case of the Draft Education Bill the government widely consulted with key education stakeholders, involving them in the decision-making process to determine what should be contained therein.
“It is therefore, technically in good shape for submission to Parliament.
“The Draft Education Bill has been with the Attorney General’s Chambers for the past three and half years and the senior management team of my ministry.
“And I’m grateful to the work advanced by our Attorney General and his team of legislative drafters, including my ministry’s legislative drafter contracted by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT),” she said.
Mrs Tanangada said the ministry is expecting the final version of the Draft Education Bill from the Attorney General’s Chambers early this month and will take it to Cabinet and thereafter, submit to the Bills and Legislation Committee before it is finally tabled in Parliament for debate and passage in the June-July sitting of Parliament.
“With excitement in anticipation of the passage of the bill in June-July, my ministry has already put in place its plans on the socialisation and implementation of the Bill.
The MEHRD Senior Management Team has agreed that MEHRD staff, as education administrators should understand the Education law fully before it is implemented,” she added.
The MEHRD Minister said it is the view of her ministry that it will be held accountable for ensuring the full implementation of the new law.
“We must be well versed with the provisions of the new Education Law, in order to protect the education providers, schools, teachers and students.
“In other words, we need to plan so that we are better prepared for the implementation of the new Education Law,” she added.
By MOFFAT MAMU
