Education institutions within the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been called upon to uphold and promote Catholic principles and teachings in their approach to student learning.

Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, His Lordship Vincent Mwakhwawa, made the appeal during the Teacher’s Jubilee Celebration held at Maula Cathedral on Saturday, 11th October 2025.

Bishop Mwakhwawa emphasized the importance of teachers recognizing their vocation, urging them to be Christ-centered, and to integrate their faith into their teaching.

“They need to share their faith with learners as they teach. It is not just a paid job, it is a calling to help transform young people into better citizens of this country,” he said.

His Lordship also encouraged students to pray for their peers who face challenges in accessing education due to financial constraints and the lack of schools in their communities.

He further revealed that the archdiocese, in collaboration with Archbishop Desmond Tambala, plans to construct approximately seven new schools over the next ten years.

“There are many young people out there who need education but cannot access it due to the limited number of schools and the cost of tuition. Given our current situation, we must build more secondary and primary schools and even a university to empower our youth,” he added.

Echoing Bishop Mwakhwawa’s sentiments, Reverend Brother Pascal Mtuwana, National Education Coordinator for the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, said this year’s Jubilee celebration provided a platform for Catholic education institutions to become “Pilgrims of Hope” in society.

“We want to address our local challenges in the education sector, such as overcrowded classrooms, lack of teaching and learning materials, high school fees, and staff shortages. The question is, how can we, as Catholic institutions, become beacons of hope?” said brother Mtuwana.

Speaking on behalf of teachers from Catholic institutions, Mr. John Kumwenda, Vice Principal of St. Maria Goretti Girls Catholic Secondary School described the Jubilee celebration as insightful, noting that it has inspired educators on how to offer both academic and spiritual guidance to learners.

He also encouraged teachers across Catholic schools to remain committed to delivering quality education.

The Teachers’ Jubilee Celebration brought together educators and students from Catholic schools and technical colleges across the Archdiocese of Lilongwe.

The event featured a variety of performances and activities by learners from their respective institutions.

Teachers and educators from all Catholic education institutions attending their Jubilee

St Maria Goretti Girls Catholic Secondary School leaders showcasing their talents to spice up the celebration

By Titus Jata Phiri

Parishioners at St Bernadette (Chitula) Parish in the Archdiocese of Lilongwe have been urged to collaborate and actively participate in all parish development activities.

Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese, His Lordship Vincent Mwakhwawa, emphasized that as a newly established parish, it is essential for Christians to engage in every activity and attend meetings to share ideas that will foster growth and development.

Bishop Mwakhwawa made the call on 14 September during his visit to the parish, where he administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 179 young Christians.

His Lordship further encouraged the faithful, especially those who received the sacrament, to prepare for the upcoming Mission Month, which will be hosted at the parish.

“I have encouraged the wider community to prepare thoroughly for the formation lessons that will be conducted here during Mission Month by the Archdiocesan team. This is their opportunity. The archbishop has dedicated this year’s Mission Month to teaching Christians here at Chitula Parish,” said Bishop Mwakhwawa.

In his remarks, Parish Chairperson Damiano Matchona stated that the parish leadership is developing various programs to ensure that all Christians will actively participate in the upcoming Mission Month formation sessions.

According to Matchona, those who received the Sacrament of Confirmation will continue receiving church teachings to equip them as messengers of God’s word in their communities.

One of the newly confirmed, Marko Lingisoni, expressed his commitment to serve the Church in various ministries, saying the sacrament has empowered him to take on greater responsibilities.

A total of 179 youth and adult Christians received the Sacrament of Confirmation during the ceremony.

St Bernadette (Chitula) Parish was established in 2023 and currently comprises 98 Small Christian Communities, 29 outstations, and serves over 17,000 parishioners.

By Titus Jata Phiri

The Girls Shine Foundation has today, 12th September 2025, awarded certificates to students who have completed vocational training in computer studies, tailoring and design, and welding as one way of empowering the youth.

The ceremony, held at Mtandire in Lilongwe, marks the completion of a short course designed to provide practical, marketable skills to young girls from various educational backgrounds.

One of the certified trainees, Naomi Sankhani, expressed her gratitude to the foundation, stating the course has given her a foundational knowledge of electronic devices like laptops and printers.

Aspiring to become a journalist, Sankhani believes these skills are essential for her future career.

She has however urged her peers to work hard, emphasizing that the foundation supports those who show potential.

The acting coordinator for the Girls Shine Foundation, Divason Satha explained that the vocational training serves as a preventative measure against common societal challenges such as early marriages, pregnancies, and school dropouts.

Satha shared success stories of girls who, after participating in the program, were re-enrolled in school with the foundation’s help.

Despite facing financial constraints that limit the foundation’s ability to reach girls in distant areas, Satha remains determined.

“What I want is just for them to be protected against all challenges,” Satha said, reiterating his belief that education is the key to creating lasting change for girls in Malawi.

He noted that the Ministry of Education has granted them authorization to work in schools, a key step in expanding their reach.

In his remarks, George Chikafa, a computer teacher from the partner institution Edit Center Computer Training, praised the students’ dedication and expressed confidence that the skills acquired will contribute to Malawi’s development.

“We are living in the world of information technology. This country needs to be changed,” he said.

The teachers in all sides posses with the trainees

The beneficiaries of Girl Shine Foundation

The initiative targets students who are currently in primary and junior secondary school, and those who have completed their Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) with an aim of bridging the gap between academic education and practical skills, preparing young women for both further studies and the workforce.

By Eric Norman Mkwaira