The National Federation Party leader and Opposition MP Biman Prasad was told to withdraw the word ‘crap’ in Parliament yesterday.

He said this while responding to the Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts, Mahendra Reddy’s speech on the current education reforms.

Mr Reddy said that they had ventured into further improving education where a number of stakeholders were involved in its development.

He added the Opposition side had been highlighting issues on lack of consultation and the need for an education commission.

It should be noted, Mr Reddy said that the processes to improve the education sector was challenging.

“We had no choice but to forge a way forward, raise professional bodies like research bodies, faith-based organisation, principal associations and development partners,” he said.

In his response, Mr Prasad said the steps taken by the Education Minister indicated that he wanted to “rubbish the education sector”.

He claimed that after rubbishing the school system, Mr Reddy then tried to engage in this cosmetic exercise to try and get people together to make presentations look inclusive.

Mr Prasad said the formation of an education commission was important.

While he appreciated the work by the Education Minister, Mr Prasad said it was not too late to work out a new strategy.

“Let’s cut out this crap of getting people out there,” Mr Prasad said.

Raising a point of order, Attorney–General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the use of word ‘crap’ was similar to using ‘bullshit’ and that it was not a Parliamentary language.

In response, Mr Prasad claimed that Government couldn’t face the fact that they lacked logic.

Mr Sayed-Khaiyum then said the use of word ‘crap’ demeaned the House of Parliament.

“I suggest that the Honourable Prasad should withdraw the word ‘crap’. He can be very clever, he is not an uneducated man, he can use another word than the word ‘crap’, you can say nonsense,” he said.

Mr Prasad than withdrew the statement.

“I will withdraw that and replace the word nonsense,” he said.

Shadow Minister for Education and SODELPA Opposition MP, Mikaele Leawere requested the Education Minister to provide a report before Parliament on the number of school dropouts.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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