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{
    "id": 594966,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/594966/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 235,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Mugo",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 85,
        "legal_name": "Beth Wambui Mugo",
        "slug": "beth-mugo"
    },
    "content": "Madam Temporary Speaker, from the outset, I thank Sen. Musila and congratulate him because he has from time to time revisited this issue without tiring. It is true that I was in Parliament when the Acts were passed and I was the Assistant Minister for Basic Education then. I support this amendment unreservedly and say that nobody has a right to deny children the right to education. The whole reason for education is not the end. The end is for those children to finish their education and get their certificates. Those who have an opportunity to pursue higher education and get employment should be facilitated. Madam Temporary Speaker, this cannot happen if their certificates are not released to them because they have to prove to institutions of higher education and employers their performance. I do not think there is anyone even in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology who is not in agreement with that. Sen. Musila knows that I strongly supported this Act and that the Government and the Ministry wrote to all head teachers directing them to release all the certificates. I say it here without any fear of contradiction that the Government is fully in support of this issue. I want to put the whole blame on the teachers and the unions. As Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr., has said, if the Government gives a direction, it should be adhered to. Again, they are supported by the unions to defy those directions. I want to very much support this amendment that proposes the establishment of a tribunal, or a body that will look into this issue very deeply. I also support the fact that this tribunal be given teeth so that it can even prosecute the teachers who do not adhere to directions given by the Government. This tribunal must have powers similar to those of a court of law. Madam Temporary Speaker, most of the time, the children who are denied these certificates come from homes which are not very well to do. They are the ones who really need help the most. The whole purpose of free primary education, and subsidized education in secondary, is that everybody can get an equal chance of accessing education and improving their The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}