Final Declaration of the International Consultation on the Enhancement of the Mennonite Educational System in Democratic Republic of Congo

May, 2009

The international consultation on the enhancement of the Mennonite educational system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was held from May 19 to 21, 2009 at the Methodist Presbyterian Hostel, on 2687 Avenue des Ecuries, District of Ngaliema, in the City of Kinshasa.

This consultation was convened on the initiative of the three Mennonite church conferences of Congo: Mennonite Brethren Conference of Congo (CEFMC), the Mennonite Evangelical Conference (CEM), and the Mennonite Conference of Congo (CMCo). It was sponsored by the International Community of Mennonite Brethren (ICOMB) and Mennonite World Conference (MWC). The consultation is justified by a great need to reflect on ways and means to set in order to enhance the Mennonite educational system in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In fact, the experience resulting from the careful observation of the last years reveals that the educational system of Mennonite churches of Congo is undergoing a deep crisis. The main causes of this crisis are the confiscation of church-owned schools by the Congolese government during the period from 1973 to 1974, the growing deterioration of basic infrastructures, the precariousness of working conditions, the bad management of some leaders, the unhealthy environment, the immoral behavior of school personnel, etc. All these facts have had bad consequences on the Mennonite educational system and have devalued its former high level.

The following themes were developed during the consultation:

1. “Exchange in the Educational System”, by Mr. François Badibanga, Sub-regional Coordinator of Catholic Schools

2. “Crisis in the Educational System in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: the Case of Primary, Secondary, and Vocational Education”, by the Professor André Masiala ma Solo.

3. “Vision and Expectations of the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) for the Education of Congolese Youth”, by the Reverend Lala Unsi Libay, National Coordinator of Protestant Schools.

4. “What Strategies to Make for a Model Mennonite School”, by Mr. Wilson Mahenzi Masema, member of the CEFMC.

5. “Exchange in the Educational System”, by Mr. Justin Lubaki Ndosimau, Kinshasa City Coordinator of Protestant Schools; Dr. Dalton Reimer, ICOMB Education Coordinator; Mrs. Rose Bushman; Mr. Maurice Matsitsa N’singa; and the Reverend Mwaku Kinana.

Day 1
The activities of the first day of the consultation (May 19, 2009) were focused around the theme “Exchange in the Education System”. The following topics were developed:

1. “How to Integrate Mennonite History and Doctrine in the curriculum.” This topic was developed in a workshop (discussion group) led by Mrs. Bernadette Manya of the Cmco

2. “What Staff for a Model Mennonite School?” This topic was developed in a workshop led by the Reverend Mubenga of the CEM

3. “How to interiorize the Anabaptist Ethics in the Educational System.” This topic was developed in a workshop led by the Reverend Dr Komuesa of the CMCo.

After discussions, exchanges and amendments in plenary session, the following resolutions were adopted:

A) regarding ways to integrate Mennonite history and doctrine in the curriculum:

1. the creation of a technical commission responsible for determining specific subjects on Mennonite history and doctrine to integrate in the curriculum.
2. this commission will also be responsible for the publication of materials related to Mennonite history and doctrine, and the production of didactic aids that will facilitate the assimulation of the subjects selected.
3. the technical commission should comprise theologians, historians, competent Mennonite personalities. It will also be necessary to include school administrators, and staff in charge of pedagogical services in the commission.
4. the technical commission should suggest some qualified and committed Christians having a thorough knowledge of the Mennonite doctrine.
5. the organization of awareness and popularization on selected subjects as well as on means to use for their assimilation in order to train the staff responsible for teaching.

B) with regard to the profile of staff to recruit for a model Mennonite school

1. At the primary school level, the staff must:
- have the knowledge of anabaptist values
- be qualified
- be selected after a test among Mennonite Christians
- receive a constant training (retraining) organized by the church
- have the knowledge, the know-how, and good manners
- show consciousness

2. At the secondary level:
In addition to qualities required from primary schools candidates, it would also be advisable to consider the recruitment or the possibility to make recourse to the expertise of non Mennonite staff if necessary.

C. regarding ways of interiorizing anabaptist ethics in Mennonite schools

1. the affirmation of the commitment of the consultation participants to following Mennonite values:
- honesty
- loyalty
- simplicity
- peaceful coexistence

2. the introduction into the teaching of religion in Mennonite schools by dedicating some chapters to anabaptist ethics.
3. the organization of cultural activities such as short plays, recitations, and others in Mennonite schools that teach Mennonite values.
4. the obligation to hire Mennonite teachers and chaplains who should organize conferences related to anabaptist values.
5. the obligation for every school to have a chaplain who should promote anabaptist ethics.
6. encouraging the creation of choirs in Mennonite schools.
7. the compulsory participation of pupils and teachers in school worship services, and the selection or appointment of chaplains capable of conducting these worship services.

Day 2
The activities of the second day of the consultation ( May 20) were focussed around the themes: “Crisis in the Educational System in the Democratic Republic of the Congo: the Case of Primary, Secondary, and Vocational Education”, and “The Vision and Expectations of the Church of Christ in Congo (ECC) for the Education of Congolese Youth”. The following sub-topics were developed:

1. “The Primary, Secondary and Vocational Education’s National Curriculum and the Requirements of the Government.” This topic was developed in a workshop led by the Reverend Fumunguya, School Inspector of the CMCo.

2. “The School Chaplaincy: Role and Goals.” This topic was developed in a workshop by the Main Chaplain of the ECC, the Reverend Pastor Mulumba.

3. “New Technologies in the Mennonite Educational System.” This topic was developed in a workshop by Mr. Kulefwa Kudivila of the CEFMC.

The following resolutions were made after discussions, and amendments in plenary session:

A. Regarding the National Curriculum and the Requirements of the Government

1. administrators should make national curriculum available in subjects that are open to the incorporation of anabaptist values.
2. to make a technical commission that will review the curriculum in order to integrate Mennonite values.
3. to create pedagogical units and make them operational.
4. to enhance the value of all disciplines: gymnastics, music, drawing, and to avoid cheating.
5. to respect the number of hours assigned to every subject.
6. to use good educators and good manuals adapted to the national curriculum.
7. to ensure regular monitoring of teachers.

B. Regarding the role and goal of the school chaplaincy

1. to upgrate the mission of the chaplaincy in the schools by retraining, compulsory worship service, pastoral dialogue, spiritual retreats, conferences, seminars and bible camps.
2. to equip school chaplaincies.
3. to suggest the creation of a framework for dialogue and exchange in school chaplaincies.

C. Regarding new technologies

1. providing training in new technologies to teachers and school principals.
2. the creation of some pilot schools, equipped with new technologies in each church conference; that is three primary schools and three secondary schools per conference.
3. the managers of the three Mennonite conferences are asked to equip the schools located in rural areas with solar panels in order to facilitate the use of all these new technologies.

Day 3
The activities of the third and last day of the consultation (May 21) focussed on the following themes:

1. “What Strategies to Make for a Model Mennonite School?”

2. “Exchange in the Educational System”

The topics below were developed in workshops:

1. “How to Finance Model Mennonite Schools?” Workshop led by the Reverend Pastor Mitambo of the CMCo.

2. “How to Create a Mennonite Network for Education in the DRC with External Partners?” Workshop led by the Reverend Pelende Tshinyam of the CEFMC.

After discussions, exchange and amendments in plenary session, the following resolutions were adopted:

A) With regard to the financing of Model Mennonite Schools

1. the creation of an inter-Mennonite finance commission to do a feasibility study on the rehabilitation of existing schools or the creation of new model schools.
2. the raising of local contributions for this purpose.
3. the managers of church conferences seek financial contribution from the government.
4. the managers of the three church conferences should also solicit external contributions from their long-time partners.

B) Regarding the creation of an inter-Mennonite network for education in RDC

1. the creation of a network named “Inter-Mennonite Network for Educational Cooperation” (RICME).
2. the urgent creation of a technical commission by the Legal Representatives of the three church conferences that will undertake a detailed study in order to define the mission, the functioning, the goals, and to design the bylaws of this network.

Prepared and adopted in Kinshasa on May 21, 2009.

For the office of moderation of the international consultation,

The Secretary and Vice-Secretary
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