Entry Instance

HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept

{
    "id": 546814,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/546814/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 244,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Kaluma",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1565,
        "legal_name": "George Peter Opondo Kaluma",
        "slug": "george-peter-opondo-kaluma"
    },
    "content": "Thank you, Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker. It is very difficult to debate such a big matter in three minutes. I will say three things. This Bill is a big indictment of our Departmental Committee on Education, Research and Technology, which is in charge of education within Parliament. I hope that Committee is concerned that an ordinary Member of the House has thought through this. We are in a country where the President and the Executive says that certificates ought to be released to all students, yet nothing happens and it does not bother anybody. We are in a country where the Constitution says there is a right to basic education, but nothing happens and it means nothing. I thank the Hon. Member for bringing this Bill but I want to say that we must be taking steps, as the leadership of this country, to ensure that basic education is not only free but also qualitative. The idea that you require fees for education, or whatever, is making education still a preserve of the rich. Let me just mention one thing due to paucity of time. You know students are being admitted to national schools on a daily basis. However, students from poor families cannot take those chances. All leaders of this country in this House are aware that those opportunities are later given to people who are able to pay the fees. We are aware of corruption. Some of these opportunities are even bought. I urge the Member to permit that as we pass this important Bill, we go beyond what it is prescribing and ensure that basic education is free. Let me end by thanking the people of Kenya who elected Hon. Wangwe to Parliament. I cannot say much. I was certain in my mind that up to 95 per cent of us would not return to this Parliament, because we have been underperforming. I am sure the number is now up to 90 per cent. Hon. Wangwe will come back with the additional five per cent, The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}