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{
    "id": 20163,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/20163/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 516,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kimunya",
    "speaker_title": "The Minister for Transport",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 174,
        "legal_name": "Amos Muhinga Kimunya",
        "slug": "amos-kimunya"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for this opportunity to support this Appropriation Bill. Let me start by saying that last week, the House made history by approving the estimates in an amended form. I believe for those who were here, no less than the Chairman of the Budget Committee was full of praise for this House. It made history that for the first time, the budgeting process involved consultation between the Ministry, the Treasury and the Committee and necessary amendments were made. We were all very happy as we went home that, indeed, we now have budget estimates approved that should now be brought in an Appropriation Bill to facilitate not a second approval, but the withdrawal of money from the Consolidated Fund. That approval was given last week by the House. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, a number of the discussions that I am hearing now is what was actually canvassed last week. For some who missed that session, they brought it in today. I want to say this with regard to teachers in this country because we seem to be mixing issues, we all know there is a shortage of teachers. For example, I know in my constituency, we have huge shortages. However, the huge shortage will not be addressed by converting contract teachers to permanent teachers. In fact, that compounds the problem. The problem will be resolved by having many more contract teachers. This has been done in the USA and other places. By so doing, we will increase the teacher-pupil ratio by hiring more teachers on contractual terms. We also save the burden that we are now putting on the boards of governors to hire those teachers instead of the Government hiring them at Kshs5,000 or Kshs4,000 yet they are qualified. We could hire more teachers on contract rather than spending all the money we have on permanent teachers. The interest in this matter by the union is just the Kshs300 they receive from every teacher who moves from contract to permanent and increases the amount of money that is available to them. This money is not available to them when teachers are on contract. They are confusing the matters here while our children are suffering. As I said, the House made a decision last week; it approved the estimates as negotiated. What we are asking the House to do today and what we have all come here to do today is to authorize the withdrawal of the funds now from the Consolidated Fund in accordance with the Constitution. We are not seeking a second approval as some of the hon. Members may actually be misunderstanding the process to be. This is part of the transition from the old Constitution to the new Constitution which basically lays out this process. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I agree that it is a matter we have already made a decision. I would urge the House, let us move together. Let us finish this task, withdraw the money, and let us start getting the process of carrying out the development that is required. With those few remarks, I beg to support."
}