MPs object to government taking control of higher education [1]
Tuesday, August 17, 2004 - 17:49. Updated on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 16:17.
During proceedings on the Bill for a National Accreditation and Qualification Act a People's Rep. pointed out that the 30 year old Regulation for the Education Act of 1974 had not been tabled into the House. The Minister of Justice replied that the Regulation the member was referring to had been passed [by Cabinet] and was in use but it was awaiting to be tabled into the House.
Minute No. 32, Monday 9 August 2004.
Speaker ... called for the reading of Bill No. 4, a bill for a National Pension Scheme 2004.
After the first reading it was passed 16-0.
After its second reading Sunia Fili moved for the Bill to be passed down to the Whole House Committee for debate.
Dr Feleti Sevele ... said that since this Bill would affect everyone in the whole of Tonga he suggested for the bill to be released for public debate, and dialogue should be carried out particularly with employers.
Minister of Justice ... said that government has been working on the Bill during the past five years and there had been consultation with the community and private organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce, and the Central Planning department had been holding public meetings.
Minister of police ... proposed for the House to start working on the Bill this week.
Speaker ... called for votes on a letter, which accompanied the Bill from the Law Committee, and it was passed 22-0. He also pointed out for the House to make a decision on a pension for two former employees of the House, Simote Moala and Tavake Fusimalohi.
Dr Feleti Sevele ... - said that the two men were entitled to their pensions from the House.
Minister of Labour ... pointed out that Tavake Fusimalohi worked for the House but he also worked for the Tonga Broadcasting Commission.
Speaker ... reminded the House that the two retired employees of the House were sent overseas for medical treatment and he believed that they were entitled for a retirement payment. He called for votes and it was passed 25-0. He also reminded members to start making plans for the up coming national tour to start on August 23.
The Legislature dissolved into the Whole House Committee and the Chairman, Noble Tu'i'afitu took his Chair.
Chairman ... called for proceedings to continue with the Bill for a National Accreditation and Qualification Act.
Minister of Justice ... made a number of literal amendments.
'Etuate Lavulavu ... told the House that government copied his idea, because in 2002 he presented a private member's Bill for the establishment of a Tonga National Accreditation and Qualification Board but it was rejected by the House, but this year was this Bill for the formation of a National Accreditation and Qualification Board.
He said that the Regulation for the Education Act of 1974 has not been tabled into the House.
Minister of Justice ... said that the processing of legislation and regulations must follow procedures. He said that the Regulation the member was referring to had been passed [by Cabinet] and was in use but it was awaiting to be tabled into the House.
He told the House that the Regulation for the Education Act of 1976 was drafted in 2002, and that the Education Act was unrelated to the Bill that was before the House, which was for the establishment of a Board.
'Etuate Lavulavu ... said that the Bill of the new Education Board was dictatorial, and self- centred. He said that the proposed new law would destroy 'Atenisi, and that was the intention of the National Accreditation and Qualification Board. He said that there was nowhere in the world where Higher Education was controlled by the Minister of Education.
Minister of Education ... said that what the member was talking about was irrelevant to what was before the House. He said that Tonga planned to have a national university by 2006.
'Etuate Lavulavu ... said that the idea was unacceptable to New Zealand, Australia and the USA, they would not recognise our qualification. He stressed the importance for the Board to be independent of the Minister of Education.
Minister of Education ... said that experts from New Zealand and Australia helped with the drafting of the Bill, and that a draft copy of the Bill was presented to an Advisory Council for Education for their comment. He said that members in the Council were directors of education from private education institutions.
'Etuate Lavulavu ... said that he had a letter of petition from the directors of education of various institutions, including 'Atenisi Institute, 'Unuaki 'o Tonga Institution, the Catholic Church and the Mormon Church.
Dr Feleti Sevele ... expressed his grave concern about the structure of the Board. He said that the CEO would be appointed by the Minister of Education with the approval of Cabinet, and the other six members, three from government and three from the Private Sectors would be selected by also by the Minister and Cabinet. He did not think that the Board would be an autonomous body if the CEO and the members would be appointed by the Minister and the Cabinet.
Minister of Education ... said that the post of CEO would be advertised overseas, and the CEO would be a person with a Phd and experienced in the assessment, and evaluation of qualifications and accreditation.
Dr Feleti Sevele ... argued that there would be a clash of authority if as it was stated in Bill, for the Minister and the Cabinet to appoint the CEO and the six members of the Board. He said that normally, the board appointed the CEO, but in this case the Board has no control over the CEO because he was elected by someone else.
Minister of Education ... pointed that the expenses of the board would be paid for by Government.
He said that the board would be made up of representatives of government and that of the public and the post of CEO would be advertised, but he wondered about the fact that all expenses would be paid by government, and the view for the government to stay out of it.
He reminded the House that a national university would be established in 2006, and it would be run by an autonomous body.
Noble Tu'ivakano ... proposed for the interview of applicants for the post of CEO to be carried out by the members of the board, who would then give their recommendations to the Minister and the Cabinet.
Minister of Education ... pointed that the interview under the new structure of the public service should be carried out by the Public Service Commission.
Noble Tu'ivakano ... said that the people to interview the applicants must be experts on the field, not people from different areas.
Minister of Education ... told the House that the body to be set up in Tonga was no different for that which were in operation in New Zealand and various states in Australia, and similar body had been set up in Fiji, and the CEO there was a Tongan. He said that the Qualification and Accreditation Board was important to ascertain the qualification of foreign professionals who wanted to operate in Tonga.