Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698746638731.pdf (Micronesia, Federated States of)
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

21-23 RE: C.R.

21-35/EDUCATION SUBJECT: CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF MR. KALWIN KEPHAS TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE FSM.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 The Honorable Wesley W. Simina Speaker, Twenty-First Congress Federated States of Micronesia Second Regular Session, 2019 Dear Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Education, to which was referred C.R.

No.
No.

21-35, entitled: “A RESOLUTION TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MR. KALWIN KEPHAS TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.”, begs leave to report as follows: The intent and purpose of this resolution are expressed in its title.

The nominee, Mr. Kalwin Kephas, has served as the Secretary of Education for the past four years.

Your Committee has had many formal and informal meetings with the nominee during his tenure as the Secretary.
Your Committee recognizes the importance of education of our Nation’s children, particularly at this challenging point in our Nation’s history.

Our Nation’s children represent the future welfare and progress of the Nation.

The Secretary of the Department of Education of the Federated States of Micronesia, as the highest national leadership position in education, is an enormously important post.

SCRL 21-27/CR 21-35/Education Committee STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

21-23 RE: C.R.
21-23 RE: C.R.

21-35/EDUCATION SUBJECT: CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF MR. KALWIN KEPHAS TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE FSM.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 Your Committee believes it important to ensure that each student in our Nation receives a good basic education.

Consistent policies and leadership would help make that possible.

Keeping the nominee in place as Secretary of the National Department of Education would ensure the least disruption to the Department.
Your Committee in in favor of this way forward.

Both the President and the nominee have communicated their willingness to have the nominee continue in the role of the Secretary of the Department of Education.

The nominee has successfully overseen the restructuring of the Department of Education and has implemented a quality data management system for the Department.
The Department continues to move forward with its three priority areas of teacher certification, school accreditation, and teacher and student testing.

More certified teachers than ever now work in our primary and secondary school system, and with its collaboration with COM-FSM more career teachers are advancing their careers and increasing their skills with additional higher education degrees.
As stated above, the nominee is well known to the Committee for his highly competent government service over many years, and therefore, it does not deem a separate hearing on this nomination necessary at this time.

Your Committee has not received any subsequent communication from any individual or organization that would cast doubt on the performance or integrity of this nominee.

Further, the Committee defers to the President and the Department of Education as to the decision to put forward this nominee.
Absent any contrary indication, your Committee believes this nominee should be confirmed, and so recommends that Mr. Kalwin Kephas be confirmed to the position of Secretary of the Department of Education of the National Government of the Federated States of Micronesia.

-2- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

21-23 RE: C.R.

21-35/EDUCATION SUBJECT: CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF MR. KALWIN KEPHAS TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE FSM.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 Your Committee would like to offer the following technical amendment to C.R.

No.

21-35, to read as follows: 1) Page 1, line 14, delete “Special” and insert “Regular” in lieu thereof.

Your Committee on Education is in accord with the intent and purpose of C.R.

No.

21-35, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as C.R.

No.21-35, C.D.1.
No.21-35, C.D.1.

Respectfully submitted, /s/ Joseph J. Urusemal Joseph J. Urusemal, chairman /s/ Aren B. Palik Aren B. Palik, vice chairman /s/ Wesley W. Simina Wesley W. Simina, member /s/ Esmond B. Moses Esmond B. Moses, member /s/ Derensio S. Konman Derensio S. Konman, member /s/ Florencio S. Harper Florencio S. Harper, member /s/ Ferny S. Perman Ferny S. Perman, member -3- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

21-23 RE: C.R.
21-23 RE: C.R.

21-35/EDUCATION SUBJECT: CONFIRMING THE NOMINATION OF MR. KALWIN KEPHAS TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE FSM.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 -4-