Education

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

Education remains a central pillar of the Spiritan mission in Tanzania, rooted in the founding vision of Claude Poullart des Places and Francis Libermann, who recognized education as integral to evangelisation, liberation, and holistic human development. In line with Spiritan Rule of Life No… and successive General Chapters, the Province of Tanzania continues to prioritize education as a tool for evangelization, social transformation, and service to the poor and marginalized.

The Province currently oversees a wide network of educational institutions, including pre-primary, primary, secondary, special needs, vocational, seminary, and higher education institutions. Major Spiritan-owned institutions include the Marian Schools (Bagamoyo), Libermann Schools (Dar es Salaam), Tengeru Boys’ Secondary School and Holy Ghost Viziwi (Arusha), Holy Ghost St. Luke Secondary School (Endamaghan – Manyara), vocational training centres – Holy Ghost Fathers VTC – Tengeru, Arusha, St. Joseph VTC – Bagamoyo and ————VTC Mlandizi), Usa River Seminary, and Marian University College (MARUCo – Bagamoyo).

Marian, Tengeru and Libermann Schools consistently demonstrate excellent academic performance, strong enrolment growth, and sound Catholic formation. New initiatives such as Marian Mater Dei High School and Marian Boys High School – Mlingotini (both of which are in Bagamoyo) have expanded access to education while strengthening evangelising presence in challenging mission contexts. (Evangelization in a predominantly Muslim population of Bagamoyo area). MARUCo, now celebrating ten years, continues to grow academically and institutionally, though it faces significant financial and infrastructural challenges that require sustained support that may take a some years.

Key challenges across the education apostolate include financial constraints, staff retention, limited infrastructure, low capacity for programme diversification (especially at MARUCo), and the implications of Tanzania’s new education curriculum. Despite these challenges, the Province’s education ministry /apostolate shows strong prospects for sustainability and expansion.

This report calls upon the Provincial Chapter and all confreres to reaffirm education as a strategic apostolic priority and to strengthen collective responsibility for the growth and sustainability of expanding Spiritan educational institutions in Tanzania.

1. INTRODUCTION

“Spiritan education presumes that every human being possesses a specific vocation in and through which the personality unfolds and character is developed. This presumes that all our educational, evangelizing efforts seek to form and provide an ‘upbringing’ in the image of Christ who is ‘the image of the unseen God.”

(Jeff Duaime et al.,“The Heartbeat of Spiritan Education in the US,” Spiritan Horizons 8 (Fall 2013): 107

Spiritan involvement in education originates from the founding charism of Claude Poullart des Places and the missionary vision of Francis Libermann, who saw education as indispensable to evangelisation, liberation, and integral human development. Libermann warned that abandoning schools would endanger the future of missions, affirming education as central to Spiritan apostolate.

In Tanzania, education has consistently been a priority of Spiritan ministry from the very beginning, spanning primary, secondary, vocational, special needs, seminary, and higher education. It is embraced as a holistic and transformative mission, aligned with Spiritan ethos and Gospel values.

2. 
   RATIONALE FOR SPIRITAN INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION

Spiritans in Tanzania are involved in education because:

• Educational works are core to Spiritan mission (SRL No. ….).
• Education is a privileged means of evangelisation and liberation.
• It promotes holistic human development.
• It transmits Gospel values, Spiritan charism, and moral formation.
• It empowers youth to become responsible, God-fearing citizens.
• It addresses social evils such as poverty, ignorance, and unemployment.

3. 
   SPIRITAN-OWNED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

3.1 Marian Schools – Bagamoyo

Marian Schools trace their origins to the historic Marian Freedom Village established in 1868 in Bagamoyo. The modern Marian educational network began in the 1990s and now includes:

• Marian Pre & Primary School
• Marian Girls High School
• Marian Boys High School – Kerege
• Marian Boys High School – Mlingotini
• Marian Mater Dei High School – Bagamoyo
• Marian University College (MARUCo)

These schools consistently rank among the best nationally, with outstanding academic results, strong discipline, and Catholic formation.

3.2 Marian University College (MARUCo)

The university college was inaugurated on May 31, 2015, in a ceremony officiated by the Honourable Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal, representing the then-President of the United Republic of Tanzania, His Excellency Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete. The college welcomed its first cohort of students on November 9, 2015. MARUCo celebrated its 10th anniversary on May 31, 2025.

Aaffiliated with St. Augustine University of Tanzania, MARUCo was founded to:

• Expand access to university education,
• To specifically address shortages in science education teachers,
• Respond to national calls for private higher education.

Current Status

• One faculty (Natural & Applied Sciences)
• Four undergraduate degree programmes
• Student population (2024/2025): 558
• Graduates to date: 942

Achievements

• Ten years of operation
• Improved staffing, infrastructure, and governance
• Third Strategic Plan (2025–2030) under implementation

Challenges

• Limited programmes
• Financial constraints
• Staff retention issues
• Inadequate hostels and laboratories

Future Plans

• Introduction of law, computer science, tourism, and non-degree programmes
• Increased enrolment and infrastructure expansion
• Long-term goal of attaining full university status

4. LIBERMANN SCHOOLS – DAR ES SALAAM

Libermann Schools include:

• Libermann Pre & Primary School
• Libermann Pre & Primary School for the Deaf
• Libermann Boys Secondary School

They serve over 1,200 students, including vulnerable and hearing-impaired children, and operate as a unified educational ecosystem with strong academic and social impact in Mbezi Beach area and nationally.

5. OTHER SPIRITAN SCHOOLS

• Tengeru Boys’ Secondary School – strong academic improvement and stable enrolment
• Holy Ghost St Luke Secondary School (Endamaghan)) – serving indigenous communities with significant sponsorship-based support (to be opened officially in Jan. 2026)

• Holy Ghost Fathers Vocation Training Center – Tengeru – Arusha
• Saint Joseph Vocation Training Centre-Bagamoyo
• Cor Ardens Technical School (CAM) Mlandizi – Pwani region

• Centres for children with special needs – Holy Ghost Viziwi – Tengeru
• Daniel Brottier Dogodogo Centre. This centre is situated in the Bunju area in the Dar es Salaam. The centre attends to street children.
• Usa River Seminary – both O-Level and A-Level formation

6. SCHOOLS RUN BY SPIRITAN CONFRERES (NOT OWNED)

Spiritans also administer schools in various dioceses, including:

• SUMA secondary school in Engikaret, Archdiocese of Arusha
• Libermann Pre&Primary school, Kipawa Parish, Dar Es Salaam Archdiocese
• Anna Gamazo Girls Secondary school – Mang’ola. (Mbulu Diocese)
• Liberman Pre & Primary School – Mang’ola. (Mbulu Diocese)
• Kasumo Secondary school in Kigoma Diocese.

7. 
   CHALLENGES IN THE EDUCATION MINISTRY

• Financial constraints and rising operational costs
• Government taxation and regulatory pressures
• Inability of some families to pay fees
• Staff shortages and turnover
• Infrastructure limitations
• Implementation demands of the new national education curriculum

8. CONCLUSION

Education remains a vital expression of the Spiritan mission in Tanzania. Through schools, universities, vocational centres, and special needs institutions, the Province continues to evangelise, liberate, and empower the poor and marginalized. Sustained collaboration, financial solidarity, and strategic planning are essential for future growth.

As the Province moves forward, it is hoped that the Chapter will reaffirm education as a priority apostolate, faithful to the Spiritan charism and responsive to the signs of the times.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
– Nelson Mandela –

Fr. Peter Assenga, CSSp
1st Provincial Assistant & Councilor for Education
Province of Tanzania