However, to do that, the minister must publish regulations, which in themselves have to be subjected to public debate before approval by Parliament. This is where discussions are likely to get hot because whereas it is true the faiths have done a commendably good job in running or supporting schools — most top performing institutions are church-based — the dynamics have changed.

There is no clarity about the extent and depth to which faiths would be involved in school management. And importantly, how to insulate school management from intrusive and meddling sponsors, a practice witnessed variously in the past and in particular, regarding choice of headteachers or even in finances. All that must be clarified in the regulations. For records, the last Education Regulations were published in 2015 that spelt out rules for school management as well as implementation of free primary education. An equally critical subject of discussion is the capacity.

STRONG TRADITIONS

Mainstream churches such as the Catholic, Anglican, SDA, Baptist, among others, have strong traditions and networks for social and economic development and in particular managing schools and hospitals. They run successful schools, hospitals and universities besides engaging in social work and economic empowerment.

To be sure, the pioneering private universities and indeed the best ones, are run by faiths; a living testimony to their capacities.

But the same narrative may not apply to sectarian and small churches, some of which also sponsor schools, but which are insufficiently enabled to run academic institutions and most crucially, bereft of resources and may develop the penchant for feeding off those very institutions.

Essentially, there must be a determination of the capabilities so that as decisions are made on school management, only those faiths with capacity are allowed to do so.

Kenya has come a long way in nationalising management of education; a journey started right at independence with the establishment of the Ominde commission that gave rise to the 1968 Education Act and endorsed through subsequent legislation.

In the intervening years, many developments have come to pass and legal and policy discourse as well as political and economic dynamics have varied. Thus, reverting ownership of schools to churches, therefore, requires sober and candid discussion; not presidential directive.