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{
    "id": 729661,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/729661/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 202,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Chea",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 1694,
        "legal_name": "Mwinga Gunga Chea",
        "slug": "mwinga-gunga-chea"
    },
    "content": "suspect must be accorded an opportunity to be heard. He has to be notified of the allegations and given an opportunity to present evidence in defence. Before any nullification of examination results is effected, the due process has to be followed. That is very important. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, the introduction of an examinations appeals tribunal is a very important aspect of the amendment Bill. It is very sad when the doors are locked. You may feel aggrieved by a certain decision, but you find that there is nowhere you can go. The situation being created by the amendment Bill is such that when the Council decides to nullify examination results of any candidate or institution it will have carried out investigations and the aggrieved party will have remedy. The aggrieved party can go to the examination appeals tribunal and launch a claim, and then he will be heard. There are officers who will be sitting at the proposed tribunal. My main concern is that the proposed membership of the appeals tribunal has too many Government representatives. There is the aspect of an assessor that has been introduced into this law. The assessor will be an advocate of not less than five years standing. I am not very comfortable with the chair of the proposed examinations appeals tribunal being appointed by the CS. We have seen ministries and government agencies working together before. Of course, we will propose necessary amendments during the Committee of the whole House stage. What we are saying is that, there is need for the proposed examinations appeals tribunal to be independent. It should not be seen to be taking orders or directions from other quarters. Also, it should not be expensive to administer. Students do not have any source of income. Therefore, there should not be any need for them to pay fee in order for their claims to be heard. In any event, the State has to provide the Council with the necessary resources, so that aggrieved students can be heard by the tribunal. I also want to agree with Hon. Agoi that there is absolutely no need to burden the taxpayer. That is why the examinations appeals tribunal should operate on an ad hoc basis – a very attractive proposal. We just need the tribunal to sit for 30 or 40 days, conclude its investigations and make verdict. We do not want to create employment out of calamities of students. This is very important. I urge that once this Bill passes, and members of the tribunal are appointed, it is important that they observe the doctrine of natural justice. It is important that we restore the glory of examinations in this country. I am in agreement with the clause on offences. With those remarks, I beg to second and request my colleagues to support the Bill."
}