The Education Commission

What is the education commission?

It is an arm of the Catholic Church whose mission, mandate and vision derive from the gospel of Luke 4:18 and from the directive by Jesus to go and teach and baptize, Mt 28:19.

Its mandate is to promote, propagate and defend the kingdom of God through education and training.

Its vision is to provide holistic education that enhances the self – esteem and dignity of the human person in the atmosphere of truth, belonging, care and concern for all.

Its mission is to strive to live and witness through quality value based education for all expressed through the gospel values.

As a commission in the diocese, it oversees and supervises all education institutions especially primary and secondary schools; making sure that they are providing quality education for all and adhering to Catholic values.

Currently there are 89 primary schools, 5 community day secondary schools, 1 minor seminary and 1 girls boarding secondary school.

The Education Commission

EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Mr Geoffrey Mdala
Mr Geoffrey Mdala

ROLE DESCRIPTIONs

    • Overseeing the commission
    • Ensuring alignment with Diocese mission and goals

Responsibilities

    • Overseeing education intervention by the Directorate through the commission
    • Report to the Director of the Social Services
    • Ensure that all education institutions are being run according to the Catholic norms

Contact Us


Institutions under this Commission

1. ST. LAWRENCE GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL

Established in 1999 in the Diocese of Chikwawa by late Bishop Right Revevend Felix Mkhori. The Bishop had this vision of giving the girls of the Diocese a chance to access quality and affordable education in the Diocese. As the motto states, his main idea was To Promote the Dignity of a Woman. He used to say that he was one of the people who believed that “if you educate a woman, you are educating a nation”. So these values made a girls secondary school be born just very close to the Bishop’s offices and residence.

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STRUCTURES

The school is made up of several structures which include: the administration block, the academic block with four classes, a science laboratory, a multipurpose hall attached to a kitchen, five hostels with a capacity of 40 students each, a convent where MCA sisters are occupying, a borehole which is a reliable backup source for water and a cattle kraal with over fifty heads of cattle as at February 2021. This ensures that there is a steady supply of beef in the school.

RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ALUMNI

There is a cordial relationship with the Alumni of the school. One intervention the girls have done is to buy branded face masks for all the students on campus and teachers too. They brought hand sanitisers as well as hand washing liquid. All this was to help in the prevention of the spread of CORONA VIRUS. The Alumni have other activities lined up to show their allegiance to the school.

WORKFORCE

St. Lawrence Girls Secondary School employs both teaching and non teaching staff. And it is also a gender sensitive employer. The school has 11 teachers which includes the Head teacher. It has 14 members of the support staff.

PERFORMANCE

The first national school leaving examination was written in 2002. These pacesetters did so well in their Malawi School Certificate of Education, leaving behind a record that is yet to be beaten. However, that record keeps the other girls to keep on working hard. This has resulted into many girls attaining tertiary education in various University colleges both in the country and outside. This in turn makes the school  contribute to the development of the country through these dignified young women as they work in different sectors both private and public. Some of the girls have gone as far as being in the Boards of Directors in some Authorities in the country while others are serious entrepreneurs, employing others in the long run.

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ST. LAWRENCE GIRLS SECONDARY SCHOOL

DOES IT HAVE TRADITIONAL DONORS?

The name St. Lawrence comes from Holland where Bishop Mkhori had made friends with a particular family as he was visiting his predecessor Bishop Vroemen. This is the Nilwik family which congregates at St.

Lawrence Parish. This family has established an organization called Chikwawafonds with an aim of directly helping the school in some areas. They have been helping in the science lab, bringing computers in the school as well as sourcing funds for a Solar Power project to be the backup system for power as well.

In a way the family may not be taken as the traditional donors but well wishers who intervene at most critical times. Otherwise it survives on its collection on fees.

2. Mzimu Woyera Seminary

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Mzimu Woyera Seminary is found in Chikwawa district, close to St Michaels cathedral.

The seminary was established in 1980 with an aim of training boys into priesthood. At its inception, it enrolled 66 students and had classes from Std 6 to Form 4. This has changed over time with classes now begi ning from Form 1 to Form 4.

The seminary has educated over 1716 students. These students are enrolled from parishes within the diocese. The seminary depends on school fees, donations, its alumni, ordinary subsidy from Rome and different agricultural contributions from parishes within the diocese for its operations.

The teaching staff for the institution is made up of the clergy and the laity.

Since its establishment the seminary has had the following as Rector: Fr Louis Mmango, Fr J Mwangeya, Fr Henry Biriwita, Fr Alfeo Boloma, Fr Cleophas Nsambokulira, Fr Valerian Mtseka, Fr Lazarus Maloya and Fr James Chidali.

Fr Shadreck Malata
Fr Shadreck Malata

The current Rector

Bishop Felix Mkhori
Bishop Felix Mkhori

Founder

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Mzimu Woyera Seminary


Featured News

CADECOM supports food insecure families in Nsanje

Tue

10

Mar 2026

CADECOM supports food insecure families in Nsanje

The Catholic Development Commission (CADECOM), through its subsidiary office in the Diocese of Chikwawa, has come to the aid of families in Nsanje who are going through hunger. The assistance led by the national office for CADECOM is being carried out with the help of CADECOM Chikwawa, offering cash transfer and fortified flour for malnourished kids. This assistance has been funded by The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) at the tune of 200000 british pounds, has been given to support 3100 families in Nsanje, Nkhotakota and Lilongwe rural. Speaking during the distribution exercise at traditional authority Ndamera in Nsanje, Bishop Peter Musikuwa of the Diocese of Chikwawa, expressed gratitude to SCIAF and the Scottish government for the support. “We can only thank SCIAF for this assistance. The support means alot to the families and will help them cope with the lean season until they are able to harvest” Said Musikuwa. He then urged beneficiaries of the program to prioritize buying food for their households, stressing that the fortified flour will help ease malnutrition cases. Fr Patrick Kamba who is National Director for the Social Services Directorate, echoed the Bishops call for the beneficiaries to put the assistance into good use. He further called them to report any abuse that may occur during this time. The exercise was attended by officials from Nsanje District council. Under the initiative, each beneficiary household receives Mk100,000.00 and  a 10kilogram bag of fortified corn and soya blend for under 5 children. The assistance will be distributed in 7 centers in Nsanje district in the Diocese of Chikwawa namely; Ndamera, Mbenje, Nsanje, Tengani, Phokera, Bangula and Sorgin.

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Chikwawa to dine and wine for its priests’ medical scheme

Mon

9

Mar 2026

Chikwawa to dine and wine for its priests’ medical scheme

The Diocesan Fundraising Committee has announced the scheduling of a dinner and dance to raise funds for the priests’ medical scheme. Following the committee’s meeting, which took place on 1st March 2026, the fundraising dinner and dance is set to be held on 29th May 2026 at St Matthews hall, Nchalo. Prices for the fundraiser are as follows: 80,000.00 for singles, 150000.00 for couples, and 1000000.00. According to information shared by the Diocesan treasury and the focal person for the medical scheme, priests are on an  Executive gold MASM scheme. The treasury indicated that the Diocese needs a minimum of 1000000.00 for each priest every year to be fully covered in this scheme. This will be the first time that the Diocese will have a fundraiser such a health policy for priests. Previously, a fundraiser was held in aid of the fees for major seminarians. The Diocese implores on all people of good will to support this initiative by coming to attend the event. People are also encouraged to send any sort of help that they can through the right channels by reaching out to Fr Francis Mpatsa who is Diocesan Finance Administrator on 0888335752, or Mr Benson Ndenguma who is the Fundraising Chairperson on 0881808199, or Fr John Denis Lockie who is the Communications Secretary on 0996051570. These contact persons will be able to assist in case any well wisher wants to donate towards this course.

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Chinthebe is created as a parish

Thu

5

Mar 2026

Chinthebe is created as a parish

His Lordship, Bishop Peter Musikuwa, has announced the creation of Chinthebe Centre as a new parish in the Diocese. The announcement has been made through a written communication to all priests, religious, and the lay faithful. There will therefore be a ceremony to mark the birth of the new parish on 29th August 2026. Mass will begin at 9 am. The Bishop has since called for all parishes in the Diocese to help the newly established parish with every kind of help, as the new parish will be getting settled. With the creation of Chinthebe as a parish, Molere deanery will now have four parishes, namely, Njale, Molere, Konzalendo, and Chinthebe. These are the parishes of the Diocese of Chikwawa found in Thyolo district. Chinthebe Centre was under St Simeon Njale parish. Welcome the new parish; St Joseph, Chinthebe.

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New Diocesan Pastoral appointments

Wed

25

Feb 2026

New Diocesan Pastoral appointments

The office of the Bishop of the Diocese of Chikwawa has announced new pastoral appointments. in a letter dated 24th February 2026, signed by the Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Peter Martin Musikuwa, the appointments are as follows: Vicar General                                                                         Ver Rev Cosmas Chasukwa Pastoral Secretary                                                                  Fr Samson Kayuni Bishop’s Secretary                                                                  Fr Gift Joseph Chikwapa Finance Administrator                                                           Fr Francis Mpatsa PMS Director                                                                            Fr Bernard Limani Director of Vocations                                                               Fr Ignatio Yohane Deputy V. Director                                                                     Fr Emmanuel Malikebu Youth Chaplain                                                                            Fr Stanford Sungani Communication                                                                            Fr John Lockie Legion of Mary                                                                              Fr Mathews Kamiza CWA                                                                                                 Fr Felix Byzakulima CMA                                                                                                 Fr Shadreck Malata Liturgy and Sacred Music                                      Fr A. Boloma assisted by Fr D July Director of Catechists                                                                   Fr Henry Biriwita Director of Pastoral Centre                                                         Fr Tobias Gamera Catholic Teachers Association                                                   Fr John Lockie Diocesan Education Coordianator                                            Mr G Mdala Director of Social Services                                                          Fr M Semba Diocesan Bible Coordinator                                                       Fr Michael Useni Family Apostolate                                                                         Fr George Chokha Lay Apostolates                                                                             Fr Samson Kayuni CCJP Acting Desk Officer                                                           Mr A Bisenti Health Acting Desk Officer                                                         Mr D Chimwaza CADECOM Acting Desk Officer                                                 Mr Suzumile Hospital and Prison Chaplain                                                   Fr C Namalomba Social welfare for Catechists                                                       Fr H Biriwita CHAM Representative                                                                 Mr D Chimwaza Christian Service committee Rep                                             Fr CosmasChasukwa ACEM representative                                                                  Mr G Mdala Priests Pension Scheme                                              Diocesan Finance Administrator Priests’ Medical Scheme                                                             Fr P Ntayamanja Diocesan investments and projects                                         Fr Y Nzondola Secular Franciscan Order                                                          Fr Benedict Cholomali Diocesan Fundraising Committee                                            Mr B Ndeguma Priests’ Welfare Chairperson                                                     Mr P Namuthuwa Safeguarding Policy coordinator                                              Mr Chikoti Land Commission Chairman                                                    Fr H Biriwita Society of St Vincent de Paul                                                    Fr P Ntayamanja Community of St Egidio                                                            Fr P Ntayamanja Diocesan Typist and Archives                                                 Sr Carolyne Makawano Diocesan Financial Book Keeper                                           Sr Rose Reidi   The appointments are with immediate effect.  

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