State is grabbing church-owned schools, claims National Council of Churches of Kenya

Newly elected Chairman of NCCK Nyanza Region Rev Simon Achar address the press after their elections at Thessalia Guest House in Muhoroni Counstituency yesterday 01/07/15. [PHOTO: TITUS MUNALA/STANDARD]

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) Nyanza branch has called on the national government to stop the issuance of title deeds to schools until ownership disputes are resolved.

This follows a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta early this year that the Lands Ministry issue all learning institutions with title deeds after the attempted grabbing of Langata Road Primary School in Nairobi.

The President also asked Members of County Assemblies to lead the reclamation of all stolen land belonging to schools and report to authorities in their regions.

The council has taken issue with the directive claiming that the Government has embarked on the process of declaring church sponsored schools public institutions and issuing title deeds to the education boards.

Speaking in Kericho last week during a regional conference, council chairman Reverend Simon Achar (pictured) said the move by the Government has threatened the role of churches in management of some schools.

 MORAL DECADENCE

The clergy in a statement demanded that the Government reviews the Basic Education Act, to restore church-owned schools to them.

"We are greatly shocked at the blatant grabbing of church schools by the Government through the Basic Education Act 2013. This is blatant robbery, since it is the churches that established and run the schools," read the statement in part.

The council also demanded that churches be allowed to have the power to manage worship programmes in schools so as to promote moral standards in the learning institutions.

The over 100 delegates from over 27 churches across Nyanza region who attended the conference also agreed that teachers have 'literally killed' religious programmes in learning institutions by scheduling them during worship days.

"Teachers have converted Saturday and Sundays into working days, where children are expected to attend classes as usual. This trend should be curtailed before it spoils their future," said Mr Achar.