Senate Committee Approves Amendments To Government Institutions Restructuring Law

(MENAFN- Jordan News Agency)

Amman, March 16 (Petra) – The Senate Administrative Committee, chaired by Senator Tawfiq Krishan, approved a draft law amending the 2025 Restructuring Law for government Institutions and Departments, as submitted by the Lower House of Parliament.
The approval came during a meeting on Sunday, attended by Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani and Minister of State for Public Sector Development Khair Abu Sa'ilik.
Krishan said the committee approved the amendments after reviewing all perspectives on the proposed changes and assessing their alignment with the public sector modernization roadmap. He underscored the committee's commitment to enacting laws that keep pace with developments, contribute to administrative reform, and enhance government efficiency.
He praised the decision to merge institutions with overlapping mandates, explaining that the move aims to unify efforts, improve public sector performance, enhance the quality of government services, and optimize resource allocation while preserving employees' rights in government entities.
Momani highlighted a key amendment in the draft law, which removes the requirement that the Minister of Government Communication chairs the board of directors of the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation and the Jordan News Agency (Petra).
He emphasized that the legislative amendment is intended to provide greater independence for official media institutions, noting that previously, the law mandated that these boards be chaired exclusively by the Minister of Government Communication.
He described the proposed change as a reformist step that strengthens media independence and enhances institutional decision-making. He further stressed that the independence of both official and private media institutions is a vital element of the state's overall strength.
Abu Sa'ilik stated that the amendment is part of broader reforms in Jordan's education system, including the planned merger of the Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research. He explained that the restructuring also involves the integration of the Technical and Vocational Skills Development Authority into the Higher Education Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission due to their similar functions.
If the National Assembly, including both the Lower House of Parliament and the Senate, approves the amended draft law, the government will subsequently introduce additional legislation concerning the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources.
The amendments aim to consolidate the Technical and Vocational Skills Development Authority with the Higher Education Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission under the new entity "Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission," tasked with regulating, accrediting, and ensuring quality across the education and human resources sectors.
The draft law also transfers the Fund for Supporting Vocational and Technical Education and Training Activities and Skills Development to the Ministry of Labor, while the Fund for Supporting Scientific Research and Innovation will be transferred to the Higher Council for Science and Technology.
Additionally, it grants the Prime Minister the authority to appoint the chairpersons of the boards of Jordan Radio and Television Corporation and Jordan News Agency (Petra), in line with best practices to promote media independence.

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