Major private school reforms sought – Bill to target penalties, tuition, student affairs

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ANNULMENT SOUGHT OF CBK, PACI EXEMPTIONS TO CSC HIRING

KUWAIT CITY, June 3: Minister of Finance Dr Nayef Al-Hajraf has affirmed that the Financial Sustainability Project is aimed at reducing the State’s budget deficit to KD 3 billion.

The minister made the statement after his meeting with the parliamentary Financial and Budgets committees recently. He explained that this is the reason behind the government’s proposal to obtain KD 25 billion loan from the general reserves of the State.

He disclosed this amount will be used only for the implementation of governmental development projects, which require legislation from the parliamentary side.

On the other hand, MP Saleh Ashour confirmed that the financial status of the country and correction of budgets have been discussed; pointing out the proposed loan was approved initially considering its sole purpose is development. He also agreed that further legislation is required which will be looked into in future meetings with the concerned ministers.

Additionally, the Replacement and Employment Crises Committee adjourned its meeting without any tangible result due to failure of several governmental bodies to submit information regarding their employment issues. He also clarified that independent institutions such as the Public Authority for Civil Information (PACI) and Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) hire workers without the consent of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) because of an exemption clause in the law. He said the committee believes this exemption clause promotes biased employment and the use of ‘wasta’ (infl uence), so the committee recommended annulment of this exemption and link these institutions’ employment system with the CSC.

In another development, Assistant Undersecretary for Private and Special Education Affairs in the Ministry of Education Dr Abdulmohsen Al-Huwaila said the Cabinet will submit a new bill regarding private schools by the beginning of the next parliamentary term, which will bear important reforms that will improve the quality of education. He added the ministry has always been keen on developing managerial aspects of private schools, while ensuring the curriculums are updated; noting that some of the most important stipulations of this new law include private school penalties, unification of tuition fees based on a rating system, and regulatory articles concerning educational systems and student affairs.

The Parliament is expected to receive this bill which will be added to its list of priorities, considering the Educational Affairs Committee will add its own points of view; thereby, making cooperation between the two authorities and passage of the bill seamless. Furthermore, recent press statements issued by Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Al-Sabeeh indicate her disinterest in complying with the Parliament’s decision to suspend the implementation of her ministry’s directive to merge the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) with the Manpower and Government Reconstruction Program (MGRP) until the concerned parliamentary committees complete their reports.

Commenting on this, MP Mubarak Al-Hajraf warned the minister against disregarding the parliamentary decision, for it may be taken as a gesture of objection and non-cooperation with the legislative authority especially when two complex governmental bodies are in question. On the other hand, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor Saad Al-Kharaaz disclosed in a press statement that notifications and recommendations submitted by MPs in the form of queries or during parliamentary sessions have been taken into consideration including the latest notifications regarding supervision of charity organizations. He said the ministry’s supervision and control over such organizations are governed by laws passed by the Parliament, alongside the implemented executive regulations. He added the ministry previously formed a committee tasked to follow up parliamentary submissions, asserting this further affirms cooperation between the two institutions.

By Ahmed Al-Naqeeb Arab Times Staff

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