Learning Objective: This is a news reading and discussion class. At the end of the session, the participants are expected to be able to develop critical thinking skills.

Story Proper



Kenyans are furious at what they see is their government's wastefulness. The anger is because of the amount of money spent on upgrading the country's parliament. Despite much of the nation living in poverty, the government has budgeted more than $12.5 million for the upgrade. In particular, many were irate at the million dollars spent on 350 new, red chairs for the politicians to sit on. Each chair cost around $3,000, even though they were made by the country's prison service. The original plan to buy $5,000 chairs overseas was cancelled when some politicians discovered the cost. MP John Mbadi told the BBC he was angry because for the same price, a Kenyan "could put up some small house for someone".



The new chairs each weigh 50kg, are fireproof and come with a 30-year guarantee. Parliamentary speaker Kenneth Marende defended the decision to spend so much money, saying it would allow politicians to do their jobs better because each would have his or her own separate place to sit. He explained: "The changes we are making are going to input positively in governance. Now the member will be completely on his own. He will be independent. He will make up his mind and just press a button." The average politician in Kenya earns approximately $168,000 per year, more than their British, French and Canadian counterparts. Two years ago, they started to pay taxes on their income for the first time.


Discussion Proper


1. Chairs: Talk about chair. How important and useful are they?


2. Seating: Do you think politicians need the highest quality of chairs to sit on? Why or why not? Do you somehow agree with Parliamentary speaker Kenneth Marende in our news story today?


3. GOVT SPENDING: How should a government spend $12.5 million?
Category ------ How much of the $12.5 milllion?------ Why this much?

1. New Chairs
2. Poverty
3. Education
4. Missile
5. Politician's Pay
6. Health Care


4. Wastefulness: Define wastefulness and think of more words that are related to this word.



"Online activities, the mp3 and printable handouts are available for this lesson at http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com"