At the 24th meeting of the Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s 13th regular session yesterday, the Speaker informed the Hluttaw about the receipt of the bill to amend the Constitution for the second time and the formation of a joint committee to study the bill. Copies of the letter and the bill were then distributed to the Hluttaw representatives.
Bill Amending the Constitution for the second time
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker first informed the Hluttaw of the receipt of a bill amending the Constitution for the second time signed and submitted by 144 Tatmadaw Hluttaw representatives including Pyithu Hluttaw Tatmadaw representative Brig-Gen Maung Maung on 10 September 2019. As per Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Rule section 135, a Joint Committee to Study the Bill to amend the Constitution for the second time was formed consisting of all committee members of Pyithu Hluttaw and Amyotha Hluttaw Bill Committees with Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Office Notification 69/2019 on 17 September 2019. A copy of the draft bill and the letter sent were being distributed to the Hluttaw representatives, said the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker.
Joint Public Accounts Committee Report 15/2019
Next, Joint Public Accounts Committee Vice Chairman U Aung Min read the committee’s report 15/2019 on its findings and comments on Ministry of Education, Basic Education Department’s implementation of construction works in fiscal year 2018-2019 and tabled a motion for the Hluttaw to discuss.
The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker invited the list of Hlutaw representatives who want to discuss the report.
US$ 100 million loan from World Bank IDA
Afterwards Union Minister for Education Dr Myo Thein Gyi and Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Maung Maung Win explained to the Hluttaw about the US$ 100 million loan from World Bank International Development Association (IDA) for Ministry of Education to conduct Inclusive Access and Quality Education Program sent by the President.
Union Minister Dr Myo Thein Gyi explained that the program will be conducted in 115 townships out 330 townships in all states and regions. The aim was for all students in basic education schools to have access to quality education, create learning opportunity for out-of-school school-age youngsters and to strengthen financial and management abilities.
The program duration was for four years and the program value total US$ 180 million of which $ 100 million was World Bank loan, $ 70 million was a grant from Global Partner for Education and $ 10 million was a grant from European Union, said the Union Minister.
By conducting the program the capacity of the teaching staff and personnel will be strengthened in addition to enabling transparent management of human resources and public finances. Basic Education Department had prepared school quality assurance norm index in cooperation with World Bank and development partner organizations and will draw up school development program according to the index and raise the quality of the schools.
School maintenance program for the most required schools will also be conducted as part of the program. By conducting on job training courses for teachers, access to quality education program will be strengthened and increased for all children. While efforts were made to reduce drop-outs from schools, quality out-of-school education will be provided to about 77,000 out-of-school school-age youngsters by the program.
The loan is a 30 years development loan with a grace period of 5 years. Loan repayment period is 25 years with 3.3 per cent of the total loan being paid back annually. SDR service fee and interests were 0.75 per cent and 1.25 percent respectively explained the Union Minister in order for the Hluttaw to approve the $ 100 million loan from World Bank IDA.
Deputy Minister for Planning and Finance U Maung Maung Win explained that the program was in accordance to Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Union Budget Law, Public Debt Management Law, 2018 Mid-term debt management strategy and policy on development aid. Furthermore it was also found to be in line with Myanmar Sustainable Development Plan (2018-2030) strategy 4.1. The Deputy Minister concluded by requesting the Hluttaw to discuss and approve the loan.
Following the explanation by the Union Minister and the Deputy Minister, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker announced for Hluttaw representatives who want to discuss the matter to register their names.
New Tree Species Protection Bill approved
Joint Bill Committee Secretary Dr Myat Nyana Soe then tabled a motion to approve by clauses the New Tree Species Protection Bill in which the two Hluttaws were in disagreement. After discussion by Hluttaw representatives and obtaining the opinion of the relevant ministry and the Hluttaw representatives, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker announced the approval of the bill.
Hluttaw discuss US$ 185 million loan from ADB
As a final agenda of the day U Sein Aung of Paletwa constituency, Daw Khin Sandi of Launglon constituency, U Tun Wai of Phaungpyin constituency, U Hla San of Magway Region constituency 1, U Bo Gyi of Chauk constituency, Dr U Kywe Kywe of Mandalay Region constituency 6, U Than Tun Myint of Kalewa constituency, U Han Win Thein of Taninthayi Region constituency 4, U San Myint of Ayeyawady Region constituency 3, U Ko Ko Naing of Sagaing Region constituency 8, U Thet Naing Oo of Yebyu constituency, U Maung Maung Ohn of Ayeyawady Region constituency 5 and U Soe Win of Rakhine State constituency 12 discussed $ 185 million loan from Asian Development Bank for Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation to implement public development projects sent by the President
The 25th-day meeting of Second Pyidaungsu Hluttaw’s 13th regular session will be held on 19 September. — Aung Ye Thwin, Aye Aye Thant (Translated by Zaw Min)
