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{
    "id": 297910,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/297910/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 273,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Hassan",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 398,
        "legal_name": "Yusuf Hassan Abdi",
        "slug": "yusuf-hassan-abdi"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, I rise to contribute to this particular debate. First of all, I want to pay tribute to teachers for the enormous contribution they have made to the education of our children under the difficult circumstances they have had to operate in performing their tasks in the different parts of the country. I particularly feel that it is important to pay our respect to teachers for contributing to the major strides that we are making towards our Vision of becoming a middle-income country by 2030. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this particular Bill is very important in terms of improving and professionalising this noble profession. Hardly do we give a thought every day to the contribution that teachers make. This particular Bill will make an important contribution towards ensuring that teachers in our communities get the respect they deserve. There are two things I want to mention, in terms of the requirements for serving in the Commissions. For example, Article 6 of the Bill provides that in order for one to qualify to serve on the Commission, one must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from a university that is recognised in Kenya. I just want to find from the Minister for Education whether it is only a Bachelor’s Degree in Education that prepares one for the tasks that are required to be carried out by the Commission. I would have thought that a holder of any other recognised degree would be able to effectively contribute to the Commission. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have seen a similar requirement in Article 16 of the Bill, where, again, members in another part of the Commission are required to hold a similar degree. I would, therefore, like to appeal to the Minister to re-consider this provision. Even amongst teachers, there are people who have graduated in history, literature and other areas of education, including science-based degrees, who could also be considered for appointment to serve in the various segments or sections of this particular Commission. There are other requirements that have been included in the Bill, under, Clause 27, which provides that the Commission should not register a person as a teacher if such person:- (a) does not possess the prescribed qualifications; (b) is not of good moral character; (c) has been convicted of a sexual offence or an offence committed against a child; and, (d) has been convicted of a criminal offence."
}