HTTP 200 OK
Allow: GET, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, HEAD, OPTIONS
Content-Type: application/json
Vary: Accept
{
"id": 749408,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/749408/?format=api",
"text_counter": 111,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Melly",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 12849,
"legal_name": "Julius Kipbiwot Melly",
"slug": "julius-kipbiwot-melly"
},
"content": "If you look across the world, nations like South Africa and Ireland have their own award schemes. When we pass this Bill, it will anchor the President‟s award in law. So, the President will award best performing groups of students or persons to ensure that they participate well in the programmes that are run across the country. If you look at the programme, it has a number of issues that I believe if we put them into perspective, will assist this country a lot. The implementing guidelines should contain eligible activities in each of the four sections. That is, voluntary service, vocational skills, sporting activity or camping. So, the Bill has certain gaps. I propose that these gaps be included. If they are included, they will assist in making sure that the Bill is made well. Two, the Bill has not stated the minimum starting age for each level of award, namely, bronze, silver and gold. If we look at it this area critically, it is going to make this Bill better. Thirdly, the composition of the board is silent on inclusivity in terms of gender, youth and persons living with disability representation. It has not come out clearly. This is a very good Bill. It is a Bill that touches on every aspect of the youth in this country. It has to also make sure that the composition of the board includes the youth and persons living with disability. The other issue is that qualification of the members of the board lacks academic qualifications as an experience in various fields. It is not adequate. It has not specified who is supposed to be the chair and levels of education. They have enumerated that it must be from the social sciences and particular fields, but what is the level of education? Is it first degree, Masters, PhD or just a certificate? That is something that the Bill has to address. The other issue is that the appointment of the staff is not inclusive. Persons with disability deserve employment opportunities. That is also something that the Bill needs to look at. This is a very good Bill, but I propose that we include that area. I also want to laud the Bill on the issue of service. In this country, we have a mentality that individuals would wish to move across the ranks and be rich without serving. The sense of duty and service to the nation is something that we need to inculcate in the youth. They need to know that duty to fellow human beings is very important. So, if you are going to start this very early, the youth are going to serve and have the dignity in service and this nation is going to move forward. If the youth are going to participate in physical recreation, this is an area where talent has not been tapped well. I know we are a powerhouse in sports like athletics and many others, but we need to go further. In football, we are not doing very well. In other indoor games, we are not doing very well, but if we are going to improve on this. This is going to move this country even far much ahead. We also have certain skills. Skills that encourage personal interest in creativity, in science, research and the development of the individual are practical skills. They should be emphasised. In this country, many people have a lot of interest in blue-collar jobs, but we need to develop the youth and encourage them to acquire practical skills. On practical skills, we talk about working on machines, making sure that we have plumbers, electricians and masons. They 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."
}