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February 13, 2007

Fund shortage forces Malawi Presbyterian theology school to close

by Frank Jomo
Ecumenical News International

BLANTYRE, Malawi —  A shortage of funds has forced the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Blantyre Synod, in Malawi to close down a theological college it opened last year to mentor more pastors for growing congregations. 
 
     “Our aim for coming up with this college was to add more pastors because there was limited space at the Zomba Theological College,” Blantyre Synod general secretary Daniel Gunya told journalists on Feb. 10. “You are aware that this is an ecumenical or inter-denominational institution which provides limited space for each church." 
 
     Gunya said the college was opened to produce more ministers because the church’s membership had been growing rapidly. However, its neighboring synods of Nkhoma and Livingstonia had failed to send students to the college because they could not raise enough funds for their fees. This had eaten into the resources of the Blantyre Synod, leaving it struggling to survive.  
 
     The college has merged with the Zomba Theological College, where the other synods are also struggling to send students because of outstanding fees. The college caters to almost all the Christian churches in Malawi apart from the Roman Catholic Church.  
 
     The Livingstonia Synod said it had failed to send new students to the college because it owed large amounts for fees, but it would not disclose the amount.

     According to news reports, fees for a single student at the college are 350,000 Malawi kwacha (US$2,511) for one academic year.