Educating 26,000 Students

As a diocese we run 109 schools with 26,000 pupils. But only 20 of them are supported by the government. For the other 89, the schools themselves must find money for books, equipment and teacher’s salaries. This is an increasing challenge in primary schools because since 2022 they are not allowed to ask parents for financial contributions. Infrastructure improvements are shouldered by the diocese, with the help of our partners and, if we are lucky, some of the NGOs working in Goma who notice the state of the buildings and put us on their lists. A process fraught with red tape and corruption.

To compound the difficulties, in the last 4 years of fighting, we have seen our schools bombed, used as bases for government soldiers and for rebels and as shelter for the displaced population. Desks, chairs and even doors and windows have been used as firewood. In the urban areas, parents have a choice of schools, but in the rural areas the choice is not between one of our schools and another school, it is between our school and not giving their children an education at all.

As so it was with great joy through the generosity of one particular partner, we were able to rehabilitate or rebuild 5 secondary and 3 primary schools this summer in time for the new school year. This means that nearly 3,000 pupils now have much better facilities than they had before and parents are once again starting to send their children to these schools.

Below the before (top) and after (bottom) photos from the rehabilitation of 2 rural schools

A New Year for Theological Education

The new academic year has started and most of our theology students have returned. There are 18 who are studying 3 years in French in Goma for a bachelor’s degree and 14 who study in Swahili in Rutshuru for a diploma. They are taken largely from the archdeaconries that are priorities for evangelism and church growth. 2 students didn’t make it back this year. One, we found, had fathered a child with another women just before starting his studies. And another, a military chaplain, was accused of desertion when he returned home having been in rebel-held territory and is now in prison.

At the end of their studies they are all commissioned as evangelists and then monitored and mentored in ministry until such time as we ordain some to lead one of our growing number of church plants. We are planning for a bumper crop of 20 ordinations in January 2026.

There is a generous partner who funds the core costs of theological education across the Anglican Church of Congo. And it is through other partners at the start of this academic year we have been able to provide the students with a computer lab, whiteboards, new desks and chairs and to expand our library. As well as giving an Africa Bible Commentary in French or Swahili to each student.

In the News

13 minutes on Channel 4 focused on Coltan mining in Rubaya, one of the mines outside Goma driving the conflict in eastern DRC.

Goma airport to re-open for humanitarian flights … maybe

How can you pray?

• For our 32 theology students, that they all complete their studies, and graduate ready and willing to work as evangelists.

• For our almost 1000 teachers across the diocese, and our school chaplains, that they would serve the pupils well

• That more of our schools can be funded by the government so that we can provide a better-quality education

• For peace in eastern DRC