He said the draft bill would first be sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for approval in mid-June.

“We will try to table the bill in Parliament this year. We have to go through the process. We have to ensure the draft is approved by the AGC before sending it to the Cabinet.

“We need to get input from other ministries as well.

“The higher education ministry has identified the sections (to be amended) and is refining them. By mid-June, the draft bill will be sent to the AGC,” he told reporters after an Auku town hall session with students and members of higher education institutions today.

Khaled said the amendments would allow students to have complete freedom to take part in activities both on and off campus, which was previously subject to the university’s approval.

At the town hall session, he said there were three different views regarding Auku’s future – that the Act should be maintained with some amendments and improvements; that it should be retained and renamed with amendments; and that it should be replaced by a new Act altogether.

“However, after examining most of the views, most were (leaning) towards wanting to make amendments to the Act,” he said.

He said the amendments would include Sections 15 and 16 to give students freedom to be politically active, including becoming members of, and candidates for political parties.

It would also allow students to be given full responsibility in relation to movements within higher education institutions, in addition to managing their own finances.