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On World Teachers’ Day, Salesians Highlight Programs that Support Educators in Africa

Students, teachers, staff and members of the community gathered to celebrate the opening of a new school building in Rwanda. Credit: Salesian Missions

On the annual World Teachers’ Day marked October 5, members of the Religious Institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) have highlighted programs supporting educators around the globe including Africa.

In a Thursday, October 5 report, the interim Director of  Salesian Missions, the U.S. development arm of SDB lauded teachers, especially those in schools they run around the world, saying, “Teachers play an important role in the lives of poor youth in Salesian schools.”

Fr. Ploch added, “Their work is vital to their students’ success both in and out of the classroom. Teachers know Salesian students are facing more than just gaining an education.”

“Some youth were previously living and working on the streets, and others have faced war as child soldiers or become refugees in war-torn communities,” he says, and adds, “Salesian teachers meet these challenges head-on, providing education and hope for a brighter future.”

According the Salesians’ report, the missionaries “educate more than 1 million youth in over 5,500 schools and youth centers and nearly 1,000 vocational, technical, and agricultural schools in more than 130 countries around the globe.”

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In the Great Rift Valley nation of Rwanda, Salesian missionaries with Don Bosco Muhazi Technical-Vocational School, in the Gasabo district in the Kigali province inaugurated a new school building. 

SDB members say that since the school was established, roughly 840 students had received certificates in courses including culinary arts, masonry, tailoring, and literacy and math programs.

“The new building, equipped with all the necessary materials for students to take literacy and training courses, provides teachers with what they need to provide high-quality education,” they say, and add, “A new computer lab will enable students to develop vital digital skills and enhance their computer literacy, preparing them for future careers in the technology-driven world.”

In the East African nation of Tanzania, Coaches and educators from the Real Madrid Foundation’s socio-sporting schools in Tanzania received training in soccer, basketball and values during in-person sessions facilitated by the foundation. Since 2019, 180 youth from Don Bosco Oysterbay Vocational Training Center in Dar es Salaam have received values-based training through sport thanks to a partnership between Real Madrid Foundation and the Salesian Missions Office in Madrid.

They note that “the partnership has 21 projects in 14 countries and serves nearly 4,000 children each season, using educational sport and its values as a catalyst for the social betterment of youth and communities.”

More in Africa

“The partnership began in 2010 at a Salesian school in Senegal and continued to schools in Central and South America. The first social-sports school was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,” they add.

SDB members further say, “The summer training sessions combined soccer and basketball and served to reinforce the participants’ knowledge of the Real Madrid Foundation’s educational philosophy and methodology For a REAL education: values and sport.” 

“Both the Real Madrid Foundation and the Salesians are aware that sports are important for social integration and the promotion of values like teamwork, communication, respect, and team spirit,” they say in the October 5 report.

Held annually on 5 October since 1994, World Teachers’ Day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of achievements, and draw attention to the voices of teachers who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind.

This year, the event was celebrated under the theme, “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage.”

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Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.