MALI: Catholic education in danger
The future of Mali’s Catholic schools is in danger – threatening the important role they play in state education and inter-faith dialogue, according to Church sources.
A Malian contact who asked not to be named told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the state subsidy covering 80 percent of Catholic school teachers’ salaries is set to cease from the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year, jeopardising the institutions’ survival.
The source said: “We really need support to save our schools” – adding that “what is happening in our schools is a genuine chance for Christian-Muslim dialogue, for friendships and the building of strong and solid brotherly relationships between Malian citizens”.
Only three percent of Mali’s population is Christian, and since 2012 the country has experienced an upsurge in Islamist extremism as part of an ongoing insurgency against the government.
The local contact said: “Since 2012, Mali has found itself in a socio-political and security crisis.
“The Catholic Church is trying at all levels, above all in education, to make its contribution towards the restoration of peace, reconciliation and coexistence.”
He added: “Muslims value Catholic schools highly because of the quality of the teaching, which offers holistic human formation.”
Another local ACN source said: “In our schools – from primary school onwards – we raise the awareness of children about the promotion of peace, respect and the acceptance of others.”
This contribution of Catholic education was recognised in a 1972 agreement between the government and the Bishops’ Conference, laying down that the state subsidises teachers’ salaries while the Church runs the schools.
The contact explained: “Given the economic situation, which is partly to do with the security crisis and many challenges, the state has for some years already had difficulty in fulfilling its responsibilities.
“From year to year the debts are growing. The diocese tried to cover this through bank loans until it was no longer possible.”
He concluded: “We are asking the Lord to give us clarity about the decisions which we must make, to continue to follow his call in this difficult context.
“The Church in Mali needs support in this struggle surrounding the formation of young people and the building of a peaceful world. Please pray for this intention.”
ACN help in Mali has included formation support for diocesan priests and chaplains in Catholic schools as well as the construction of accommodation and a lecture theatre for the Islamic-Christian Institute of Formation.
With thanks to Sina Hartert