By Brenard Mwanza
The Catholic Church in Malawi has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding access to quality education while urging school leaders to safeguard Catholic identity and promote excellence in learning institutions.
Speaking during the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of Catholic Secondary School Head Teachers in Salima on Friday, 31 July 2026, His Lordship Alfred Mateyu Chaima, Bishop Vice President for the Catholic Education Commission of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops (MCCB), said education remains central to the Church’s mission.
Bishop Chaima said headteachers play a critical role in implementing Catholic education policies and ensuring that learners receive holistic formation that combines academic excellence with spiritual, moral, and social development.
“We value education as the Catholic Church, and that is why we have Catholic Education Commissions at various levels of the Church—internationally, nationally, and at diocesan level. We are able to provide quality education because we have institutions that are managed by the people attending this meeting,” said Bishop Chaima.
He commended headteachers for their dedication, saying the continued strong performance of Catholic schools in Malawi is a result of effective leadership and proper management.
“The headteachers are the managers of these schools, while we, as the Church, are the proprietors. Therefore, it was important for me, on behalf of the Malawi Conference of Catholic Bishops, to express our gratitude for the role they are playing,” he said.
Bishop Chaima said the Church will continue maintaining existing schools while supporting dioceses and religious congregations to establish new institutions in response to increasing demand for Catholic education.
“Our commitment is part of our mission. For us, education is not something we do by chance; it is a fundamental part of the Church’s mission. We seek to educate the whole person so that each individual is liberated, empowered, and equipped to contribute meaningfully to the development of society,” he said.
Meanwhile, President of the Association of Catholic Secondary School Head Teachers in Malawi, Scholastica Jere, said the annual gathering provides a platform for school leaders to share experiences, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaboration in advancing Catholic education.
“We are at this meeting, which is held once every year, to share experiences, exchange ideas, and support one another as headteachers of Catholic secondary schools,” said Jere.
She said headteachers, together with teachers and other members of staff, have a responsibility to form learners beyond academics by nurturing their spiritual, moral, and social growth.
“We want to produce students who are academically grounded, spiritually upright, socially responsible, and ready to go into the world as individuals who are accepted by society and able to contribute positively to the nation and the world as a whole,” she said.
Jere attributed the achievements of Catholic schools to discipline, values-based education, and emphasis on the holistic formation of students, saying graduates should leave school as responsible citizens committed to serving their communities.
The AGM, held under the theme “Strengthening Catholic Identity and Education Excellence through Collaborative Leadership,” brought together more than 70 headteachers from Catholic secondary schools across all dioceses in Malawi to reflect on progress, share best practices, and explore ways of strengthening educational leadership.
The Catholic Church remains one of Malawi’s largest providers of education, operating a wide network of schools and other educational institutions that continue to contribute to the country’s education sector.