Kampala — THE Uganda Joint Christian Council and Uganda Muslim Education Association, the foundation bodies of most government-run schools, want more powers in the management of the institutions.

Presenting their proposals to the social services committee of Parliament yesterday, the foundation bodies said they were not just stakeholders but owners and partners with the Government in managing the schools.

The team led by West Ankole Bishop, the Rev. Jona Katoneene, was presenting their proposals to be considered in the formulation of the 2007 Education Bill.

They said they should be involved in the formulation of the education development plan, take part in the monitoring and inspection of schools and be involved in the establishment and appointment of district tribunals to handle appeals in regard to all education services in the districts.

The team also suggested that Religious Education should be made a separate paper in the Primary Leaving Examinations and one of the core subjects at secondary school.

They said making religious education compulsory would check the moral decadence among students.

However, a number of MPs were skeptical about the proposal, saying the value of religion is in practice and not passing examinations.

The MPs instead encouraged the religious leaders to increase informal spiritual guidance outside teaching hours.

The religious leaders also rejected a proposal that the foundation bodies pay the Government 70% of the total value of public funding once they reclaim their schools.

Sr. Theresa Namataka, a member of the religious team, said the Government and the foundation bodies should work out an acceptable percentage of compensation if the school was to be used for other purposes other than education.

In case the facility continues to be used for purposes of education then the issue of compensation should not arise, she proposed.

The MPs agreed that the 70% pay back to the Government was not necessary.

Meanwhile, the clerk to Parliament, Aeneas Tandekwire on Monday announced that the House resumes for business on Tuesday February 5 at 2:00pm.