Machogu Stops Education Reforms Implementation
Education CS Ezekiel Machogu temporarily halted the implementation of the presidential working group pending Parliament sanction.
Machogu stated in a statement to Parliament that the rollout will now await Parliament’s sanction.
Silvanus Osoro, the Majority Whip of the National Assembly, read Machogu’s statement.
Osoro stated that the implementation of the proposed reforms would not take effect until the legislative process through this House is complete.
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Last week, lawmakers accused the ministry of usurping the Parliament’s authority by implementing the Presidential Task Force commanded by Professor Raphael Manavu without House approval.
Before implementation, the proposals must be ratified as either regulations or substantive law, according to members of parliament.
On a point of order, Emuhaya MP Omboko Milemba drew the Speaker’s attention to a number of recommendations that, according to him, violated a number of laws and constitutional provisions.
He urged Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to rule on the ongoing implementation before the formal ratification of the proposals by the legislature.
Omboko charged that they want your direction to ensure that people do not change the law or the Constitution through the backdoor.
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Among the implemented recommendations are the new evaluation system, the new funding model, and the rationalization of new learning areas.
As suggested by the Munavu-led task force, the government is also relocating Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) from secondary schools to primary schools.
A number of legislators backed Omboko and demanded that the Speaker provide direction on the issue.
William Chepkonga, an Ainabkoi representative, stated that the recommendations and the move to implement them before the House grants its approval amount to usurping the legislative function of the legislature.
Chepkonga stated that there is no one in this country who can make a law, no matter how high or mighty they believe themselves to be.
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He asserted that they do not expect any non-elected individuals to enact laws, considering it a breach of the Constitution.
Chepkonga proposed that they issue a statement from their chair and halt the implementation of such actions.
Lawmaker Otiende Omollo from Rarieda criticized the Education Ministry for exceeding its authority.
He notes that such proposals should wait until Parliament or the courts determine their legality. Otiende points that the policy document is not been formalized into law.
He also pointed out that they have purported to appoint an implementation committee that is already implementing it.
Moreover, he emphasized that it has not even been considered whether Parliament will accept it into law or not.
Kimani Ichung’wah, leader of the majority, agreed to escalate the matter to Education CS Ezekiel Machogu in an effort to halt the implementation of recommendations that require parliamentary approval.
The Kikuyu MP emphasized that nobody, including Cabinet secretaries, possesses the power to make the law. This assertion applies even to a presidential working group.
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Instead, the most they can do is to provide recommendations. If these recommendations are adopted by this House, they can then be implemented, as stated by the MP.
Wetang’ula held the same view, stating that only Parliament has the authority to pass laws in the country.
The MP states that nobody, including Cabinet secretaries, can create or undertake actions that might be construed as legislative acts.
He emphasized that these individuals lack the authority to enact laws.
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Machogu Stops Education Reforms Implementation