The Malagasy Lutheran Church (MLC) has developed a programme for “Green Education in MLC” that combines the theoretical learning with practical life-skills in a modern pedagogical conception, and tries to reconcile economic development with sustainable use of natural resources and protection of the environment.  The programme is closely connected to the government’s efforts for Good Governance.

The programme shall contribute to an improvement of the living conditions of the Malagasy people and, on behalf of locally based, sustainable development processes and a special focus on education, environment and human rights, promote the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It is based on a Christian conception of man, focuses on the protection of human dignity, the rights and the needs of the children, the modern civil society and good government, the empowerment of women and the special promotion of marginalized groups and areas.

The Green Education Programme in MLC is first of all a capacity building programme that stimulates cooperation and transfer of competence between the included projects and intends to influence the educational policy of the Malagasy government in the direction of the programmes objectives.

The activities included in the programme can roughly be divided into four parts:

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  1. Primary education and teacher’s training
  2. Special schools for people with disabilities
  3. Agricultural schools
  4. Vocational training for women

The cooperation between the projects, institutions and activities  included show the holistic approach of the diaconal activities in MLC. All educational work in MLC is based on local participation, where the users have a real possibility of taking part on all levels of planning, accomplishment and evaluation. 

Activities integrated in the programme

  1.    General Schools

- Lutheran Education Department (FFL), Antananarivo, with more than 260 primary schools

- Green Schools Bara, Ihosy and Toliara

- Green Schools Shalom, Mahajanga and Vohipeno

- Lutheran Teacher’s Training College (SFM), Fandriana

  2.    Agricultural Schools

- SeFaFi Tombontsoa, Antsirabe

-  SeFaFi Fihaonana, Vohipeno

- FoFaFa Tsarafototra, Morondava

  3.    Schools for children with special needs

- Blind Schools (FoFaJa), Antsirabe, with 4 blind schools

- Deaf schools (FoFaMa), Antsirabe, with 7 deaf schools

  4.    Women Training Centre (FAV Amboaloboka), Fianarantsoa

 There are all together 10 different projects and institutions run by MLC integrated in the programme.Every project and institution has its own strategy to reach its goals, but they cooperate closely for the implementation of the programme’s objectives.

In general, all Malagasy people who whish a modern and high quality education based on Christian values, are beneficiaries of the Green Education Programme. The main target groups, however, are students, teachers, and other educational workers at MLC’s educational institutions.

The Green Education Programme can not be implemented all over the country at the same time, so the rural and costal areas will be prioritized. One of the most important challenges in these low developed regions is the implementation of environmental education.

The Malagasy government has made the commitment to provide quality education for all Malagasy children by 2015, and Madagascar has a potential to reach this goal. By the development and implementation of the Green Education Programme, the Malagasy Lutheran Church supports the Malagasy Government to reach this ambitious goals and contributes to a sustainable development and the building of a modern civil society in Madagascar.

 

  MLC and ProVert

 “As the body without the spirit is dead so faith without deeds is dead” (Jacob 2:26)

 MLC has realized the interdependency between poverty, insufficient education and low development. Development work has therefore high priority for the church.  All diaconal work of the church is based on Christian values. The preaching act is closely linked to the diaconal service and there is a strong relation between the testimonies in words and actions. This world is the common heritage of all Human beings, and Christians have a special commitment to protect it, and to active charity as brothers and sisters created in God.