The third reading of the Education Bill 2025 was formally withdrawn from Parliament on October 24, 2023, in a sudden procedural reversal that pauses the legislation’s progress amid fresh controversy.
Speaker of Parliament Filimone Jitoko told lawmakers yesterday afternoon that the Parliamentary Secretariat had received a Notice of Withdrawal of Motion from the Minister for Education, Aseri Radrodro. “Honourable Members, please be informed that pursuant to Standing Order 46(4), a Notice of Withdrawal of Motion was received by the Secretary-General from the honourable Minister for Education,” Mr Jitoko said. He added that the Secretariat had confirmed the withdrawal request was in order and that “the Third Reading of the Education Bill 2025 and the preceding Committee of the whole Parliament stage stands withdrawn until such time as a new notice is received from the honourable Minister for Education.”
The withdrawal means the bill will not proceed further in its current form unless it is reintroduced at a later date. The move came after the Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights presented an amended version of the Education Bill earlier this week. That amended bill removed a clause addressing corporal punishment — a decision that has drawn criticism and appears to be central to the sudden halt.
Parliamentary records show the formal mechanics of the withdrawal follow Standing Order 46(4), which allows a minister to seek withdrawal of a motion. The Parliamentary Secretariat’s confirmation that the paperwork was “in order” indicates the move was procedurally straightforward; however, no public explanation from the Minister’s office was included in the notice read by the Speaker.
The committee’s decision to strike the corporal punishment clause entirely has attracted objection since the amended bill was tabled. The incoming withdrawal has raised questions about whether the ministry will return with further amendments to respond to those concerns or to reframe approaches to discipline and child-protection policies in schools. The Education Bill 2025 had been expected to carry significant reforms for the sector, and the removal of the corporal punishment provision appears to be the most politically sensitive change so far.
The immediate practical effect is that the third reading and the committee of the whole Parliament stage — the final parliamentary steps before a bill is passed — are no longer scheduled. Parliamentary business will move on pending any reintroduction by the minister. Observers say that, depending on the government’s next move, the bill could be revised and refiled, or the ministry may choose to pause further action while it consults stakeholders.
This is the latest development in a story that has unfolded quickly this week, with the Standing Committee’s amended bill triggering the withdrawal. Lawmakers and education stakeholders will be watching for any statement from Minister Radrodro clarifying the rationale behind the withdrawal and whether new consultations or amendments are planned before the legislation is brought back to the House.