The Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lilongwe, His Grace George Desmond Tambala has today called for deeper collaboration, a renewed focus on inclusivity, and improved communication among Catholic educational institutions in Malawi.

Speaking at the opening of a head teachers’ meeting at Maula Cathedral Hall, Archbishop Tambala outlined a vision for a more integrated and impactful Catholic education system.

The Archbishop emphasized the importance of mutual support, urging head teachers to not hesitate in seeking assistance from the Archdiocese when facing challenges or developing new initiatives.

A significant portion of his address centered on the shared understanding and practice of “Catholic education.” While acknowledging the diverse expressions within individual schools like Chabvala, Loyola, and others, he stressed the need for a common “material” or criteria, rooted in the Catechisms, that defines Catholic education across all institutions.

He has called upon schools to share their unique educational approaches, fostering a learning environment where all can benefit. “We now need you… to share with your Catholic Church, your way of education, of Catholic education,” he asserted, believing this collective knowledge would build a “very solid formation of our students’ matters.”

Archbishop Tambala addressing the gathering

Archbishop Tambala also unveiled plans for expanding the Catholic Church’s presence in education, particularly in primary education, where the Church’s significance has dwindled over the past two decades.

His Grace cited the excellent performance of the Selva School of Education but noted its limited reach, calling for an expansion. He also highlighted the importance of technical colleges.

A powerful appeal for inclusivity formed a key part of his message. Referencing a recent discussion in Italy with the Conferenza Episcopale Italiana, the Archbishop shared concerns about whether Catholic schools were sufficiently reaching “the poorest people.”

His Grace has since urged the head teachers to critically examine how inclusive their institutions truly are, questioning if good performance comes at the cost of excluding those most in need, especially in rural and impoverished areas.

“Our education should not be elite for only a few people,” he emphasized, adding that opening more schools must be coupled with ensuring quality education for all.

Meeting in progress at Maula Parish Hall

Finally, Archbishop Tambala outlined strategic communication initiatives on which he expressed his anticipation for a unified website platform where schools can upload information, creating a central “internet window” for the public to access details about various Catholic educational institutions.

He said that this would streamline communication and reduce costs.

The Archbishop has also encouraged collaboration with the Archdiocesan radio station (Radio Alinafe), which is actively seeking content, to educate the public through media.

Archbishop Tambala concluded by reiterating that these were not mandates but “suggestions,” born from a desire to foster growth and address challenges collectively.