KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, lawmakers and education ministry officials take a group photo with students at the end of the 3rd round of Student Parliament yesterday. — Photos by Yasser Al-Zayyat

KUWAIT: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem said yesterday that Democratic and human values should be taught to children since early years. Ghanem said at the opening of the 3rd round of Student Parliament that the session "is a step in this direction." The top legislator added that the Student Parliament aims to give first-hand experience in parliamentary work and listen to students' points of view regarding the legislative activities and tasks.

Ghanem highlighted the importance of the initiative on promoting democracy and respect of different points of view. He added that the session was also a chance for the MPs to listen to the views of students on several issues.

Ghanem announced that the students will discuss a number of bills on the development of the educational process and the outcome of their deliberations would be referred to the parliamentary Educational Affairs Committee.

"As I said before on numerous occasions, one of the most important structural problems that would weaken any society is the widening gap between the generations. I am talking here about the distance that turns slowly into a state of isolation and alienation between generations so that the equation becomes either that young people speak but their voice is not heard or that adults speak up but no one comprehends its implications and meaning; and when these gaps widen and the common language is lost, we turn into isolated islands," he stressed. He said "I always emphasize here that the idea is to create a forum through which we listen to this wide and important social segment of society and to their voice rather than having them hear us."

Growing support

Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Bader Al-Essa asserted that education enjoys continuous and growing support by His Highness the Amir, His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prime Minister as being the most important means of achieving sustainable development.

Essa expressed delight because educational issues are being discussed by individuals and state institutions of the Kuwaiti society, stressing that everyone is interested and eager to see education assume a higher status through coming up with proposals that would serve and elevate the educational work.

He added that the students' suggestions, such as the establishment of public universities and caring for gifted talents will be the concern of all sectors of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education.

He expressed his confidence that the Student Parliament session would achieve its objectives and be successful. He explained that the deepening sense of loyalty to the homeland and the implementation of democracy practically as well as training students on how to deal with their issues and exercising their right to freedom of expression objectively is the best way to promote the principles of the democratic system in the minds of students.

Offense against society

In the meantime, Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Al-Salem Al-Humoud Al-Sabah affirmed that the law will strictly deal with any offense against individuals of the Kuwaiti society. His remarks were in response to a student's question on a recent insult to students by a reporter. Sheikh Salman added that the reporter represents a non-Kuwaiti channel that does not own a Kuwaiti license.

Channel for students

Ghanem said at the conclusion of the session that the Student Parliament was deemed a channel for students to voice their views and thoughts in line with constitutional and parliamentary regulations. "We have not created this (student) parliament out of showing-off. The Student Parliament has no parallel in neighboring countries," Ghanem said addressing the session. He added that the National Assembly's members spend nearly four hours with students as a sign of respect and appreciation for them and their views. The speaker voiced much pleasure at the magnificent way the students pursued to express their opinions during the session. The Student Parliament will convene again next year. - KUNA