Khaberni - The House of Representatives, during a supervisory session held today, Monday, chaired by the Speaker of the Council Mazen Al-Qadi, and in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Jafar Hassan, and members of the government team, discussed 11 parliamentary questions and the government responses to them, covering various topics, most notably: investment, education, tourism, and transport.
Al-Khashman inquires about the procedures of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission to ensure the appointment of appropriate competencies
Deputy Zuhair Al-Khashman, during the second supervisory session in the second ordinary session of the Council, inquired about the procedures of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission to ensure the appointment of appropriate competencies, the announcement of vacant positions, in addition to periodic reviews for performance evaluation and ensuring competencies match the tasks assigned.
In response, the Minister of Transport, Nidal Qatamin, in writing, stated that the appointment of employees in the commission is carried out in accordance with the public sector human resources management system and the instructions for selecting and appointing employees in government positions, confirming that employee performance assessment is based on performance records and the annual report approved by the General Service and Administration Authority.
Al-Kharabsheh inquires about education correspondents
On his part, Deputy Suleiman Al-Kharabsheh, asked the Minister of Education a question about appointing "odda" (messengers) in schools.
Al-Kharabsheh, in his question, addressed the employment of day workers as "odda" in schools due to a shortage in some schools, noting that these arrangements are made for three days a week against a monthly wage of 140 Jordanian dinars.
In turn, the Minister of Education, Azmi Mahafzah, explained that the ministry is studying, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Sector Development, the use of a private company for cleaning work in schools.
In response, Mahafzah said in writing that 701 schools in Jordan lack messengers, adding that the day labor system is applied according to the needs of the schools, where people are hired to carry out cleaning tasks inside the school on a daily wage and in an irregular manner.
He added that the ministry resorts to using messengers under the day labor system with a maximum of 3 days per week for each worker, where more than one person is employed in schools during the week to cover the need.
Regarding the establishment of new schools, Mahafzah confirmed that all new and existing schools under the Ministry of Education are allocated full educational staff, either through appointment or through supplementary education.
Bani Hani inquires about the project to support the transport of students from public universities
In his turn, the Minister of Transport, Nidal Qatamin, in response to a question from Deputy Tareq Bani Hani, mentioned that there were gaps before 2024 in the project to support the transport of students from public universities.
Qatamin explained that the manual implementation of the project in past years witnessed inaccuracies in execution, which necessitated the development of a smart system that relies on electronic payment.
He added that through the "Sanad" application, the identity of the student will be verified digitally, and an electronic card and QR code will be issued to ensure the safety and credibility of the process.
The Land Transport Regulatory Commission mentioned in a written reply that the authority is currently working on transitioning to a comprehensive electronic payment system to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of the transport support project.
Al-Aleemat inquires about leasing railway lands in the Al-Mukhaybah Al-Foqa area
On his part, Deputy Ahmad Al-Aleemat demanded a review of leasing railway lands in the Al-Mukhaybah Al-Foqa (Al-Hammah Al-Urdun) area so that the local community members can benefit from these lands.
Also, Deputy Raed Al-Qatamin discussed his question about the investment climate, mentioning that the challenges are not limited to legislation, but include the speed of procedures, and overlapping of authorities, emphasizing the importance of addressing these challenges to enhance the investment environment.
Tahboub turns her question into an interrogation
On her part, Deputy Dima Tahboub transformed her question about decent work and its standards into an interrogation.
Recent weather conditions
Under the item of new matters arising, several deputies during the session, which was partly chaired by the First Deputy of the Council Speaker Khmis Atiyah, addressed the weather conditions recently witnessed in the kingdom, calling for increased financial allocations for provincial councils and to start as soon as possible with the maintenance and rehabilitation of affected infrastructure.
They also called for compensation for those affected by the recent low-pressure weather system, appreciating the government's decision to allocate 10 million Jordanian dinars to repair the damages.
The deputies emphasized the need to implement practical plans to build new dams, expand the existing ones, and remove sediments that reduce the storage capacities of the dams.
On his part, the Minister of Local Administration, Walid Al-Masri, said that the government discussed additional measures to ensure proper drainage of rainwater as planned, in addition to what was directed by the Prime Minister to allocate funds from emergency expenses for those eligible for compensation.
He added that the government decided to form a joint committee from the Ministries of Public Works and Housing and Local Administration, to identify the causes and aspects of negligence during the recent low-pressure weather system, and to propose solutions for implementation.
He referred to a technical committee formed by the Services Committee to determine the coordinates related to the valleys in the kingdom and their paths, monitor the licensed and non-licensed buildings built there, inspect the planned streets there, and remove all violations without exception.
He explained that there is an evaluation of the work of the temporary municipal council heads, and results of the mystery shopper and six months of their work will be dealt with.
He also touched on the issue of permanently employing the "homeland" employees and service contract employees, confirming the existence of directions through a study overseen by the Civil Service Commission, covering about 8,000 workers in the municipalities.
The deputies expressed their gratitude to the government for revising the acceptable percentage rate for foreign students in Jordan, urging the Ministry of Higher Education to allocate 1% of its revenues for educational tourism marketing, to attract a larger number of Arab students to our universities.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mazen Al-Qadi began the session by mourning former Prime Minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb and former Minister Saleh Ershaidat.
He said: "I mourn two of the nation's men, the late Ali Abu al-Ragheb and Saleh Ershaidat, both of whom were figures that formed a model in values, ethics, and dedication to the nation, its leadership, and our dear people."
He added that "the state of the late brother Abu al-Ragheb, who was a former member of the House of Representatives and a former prime minister, left a notable impact in sincere national work, and was a model of devotion that dedicated the national interest, and remained faithful to the original Jordanian values and principles."
He continued: "We also remember the great virtues of our deceased Ershaidat, who exemplified to everyone the commendable traits and ability to bear responsibility in the positions in which he served his country. He was a deputy, a minister, and a party leader, and he formed a solid political model that paralleled the interests of the state and its institutions. Mercy upon the souls of the deceased, and condolences and solace to their noble families. We mourn ourselves and our country for them, and I invite you colleagues to read Al-Fatiha [opening chapter of the Quran]."
