Amman, Jan 5 (Petra) -- The Lower House on Monday heard government answers to 11 queries by MPs on a host of sectors, including investment, education, tourism and transport, during a session chaired by Speaker Mazen Qadi and attended by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan and cabinet ministers.
Among questions addressed in the oversight session of Parliament's second ordinary session was one on Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission procedures on appointments, job vacancies, and periodic reviews to evaluate performance.
Transport Minister Nidal Qatamin answered in writing, saying appointments at the commission are conducted under the Public Sector Human Resources Management System and instructions on selection and employment in government positions. Employee performance evaluation is based on performance records and the annual report approved by the Civil Service Commission, he pointed out.
Minister of Education Azmi Mahafzah told the session that 701 public schools across the Kingdom have no janitors, and the ministry hires daily workers. He said the Ministry, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Sector Development, is considering contracting a private company for cleaning services in schools.
Lawmakers addressed recent weather conditions in the Kingdom, urging increased funding for governorate councils and prompt maintenance and rehabilitation work on affected infrastructure.
They also demanded compensation for communities affected by the recent storm, commending the cabinet's allocation of JD10 million for repairs.
MPs demanded thorough plans for construction of new dams, expansion of existing ones, and removing sediment that reduces storage capacity.
Minister of Local Administration Walid Masri said the government discussed additional measures to ensure proper drainage of rainwater, in addition to the Prime Minister's directive to allocate funds from emergency expenditures to those eligible for compensation.
Lawmakers thanked the government for reviewing the minimum grade point average (GPA) requirement for international students in Jordan, calling on the Higher Education Ministry to allocate 1% of its revenue to educational tourism marketing, with the aim of attracting a larger number of Arab students to Jordanian universities.
//Petra//SS
