The missionary task of the church towards the educational challenges for Mozambique in the 21st century Dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Magister Artium (Missiology) at the Potchefstroom Campus of the North-West University By Miguel João da Costa Nobre Student number: 12405663 Supervisor: Prof Dr SJ van der Merwe September 2012 i TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD................................................................................................................... v ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................... vii CHAPTER 1 THE MISSIONARY TASK OF THE CHURCH TOWARDS THE EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES FOR MOZAMBIQUE IN THE 21ST CENTURY ............................... 1 1.1 Formulating the problem....................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ........................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Problem statement ................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Central research question ...................................................................................... 4 1.5 Aims and objectives .............................................................................................. 5 1.5.1 Aims ...................................................................................................................... 5 1.5.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................. 5 1.6 Central theoretical argument ................................................................................. 6 1.7 Method of research ............................................................................................... 6 1.8 Exegetical study .................................................................................................... 6 1.9 Qualitative method of empirical study .................................................................. 7 1.10 Study limitation ..................................................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2 CHRISTIANITY AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION IN THE PAST ....... 8 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 8 2.2 Portuguese settlement in East Africa (Mozambique) ............................................ 10 2.3 Missionary activity in Mozambique ...................................................................... 14 2.4 Antagonism between the Roman Catholic and Protestant missions ...................... 18 2.5 The church and education ...................................................................................... 21 2.6 The objectives of the colonial educational system in Mozambique ...................... 24 2.7 The ‘banning’ of the church in Mozambique and the deterioration of the society . 26 2.8 Summary and conclusion ....................................................................................... 29 ii CHAPTER 3 THE PRESENT SITUATION OF EDUCATION IN MOZAMBIQUE .......................... 31 3.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 31 3.2 The organisation of the educational system in Mozambique ................................ 32 3.3 Points of view on the present situation of education in Mozambique .................. 39 3.3.1 Television reports on the present situation of education in Mozambique ............ 40 3.3.2 Newspaper reports on the present situation of education in Mozambique ........... 46 3.4 Empirical investigation of the challenges that are faced by the educational system in Mozambique ......................................................................................... 47 3.5 Outcomes of the empirical investigation of the challenges that are faced by the educational system in Mozambique ...................................................................... 50 3.5.1 Characteristics of the respondents ........................................................................ 51 3.5.2 Characteristics of the schools................................................................................ 51 3.5.2.1 Dziwanga Primary School .................................................................................... 52 3.5.2.2 Makwangwala Full Primary School...................................................................... 52 3.5.2.3 Chissoka Primary School ...................................................................................... 53 3.5.2.4 Unidade Ulongue Primary School ........................................................................ 54 3.5.3 Answers of the respondents .................................................................................. 56 3.5.3.1 Education department staff and experts ................................................................ 56 3.5.3.2 Civil society representatives ................................................................................. 57 3.5.4 Challenges of the educational system ................................................................... 58 3.6 Summary and conclusion ...................................................................................... 59 CHAPTER 4 WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE TEACH ON EDUCATION? AN EXEGETICAL STUDY ............................................................................................................................. 61 4.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 61 4.2 Missiological relevance of 1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34 ............................................. 65 4.3 Exegetical study of 1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34 ........................................................ 68 4.3.1 Contextual analysis of 1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34 (historical circumstances) ......... 68 4.3.2 Structural analysis of 1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34 ..................................................... 72 4.3.3 Literary translation of 1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34 .................................................... 73 iii 4.3.4 Summary of the subdivisions of 1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34 .................................... 76 4.3.5 Theological analysis of 1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34 .................................................. 78 4.3.6 Hermeneutical analysis of 1 Kings 3:4-15; 4:29-34 ............................................. 82 4.4 Summary and conclusion ...................................................................................... 84 CHAPTER 5 THE ROLE OF THE CHURCH IN THE MISSIO DEI IN EDUCATION ...................... 85 5.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 85 5.2 Missio Dei ............................................................................................................. 86 5.3 Contextualisation of the church ............................................................................ 90 5.4 Cooperation and unity within the Christian church .............................................. 93 5.5 Christian response ................................................................................................. 99 5.5.1 Involvement through authentic Christian identity ................................................ 101 5.5.2 Involvement through Christian organisations and institutions ............................. 102 5.5.3 Involvement through everlasting education .......................................................... 103 5.6 Summary and conclusion ...................................................................................... 107 CHAPTER 6 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................... 108 6.1 Summary ............................................................................................................... 108 6.2 Conclusion ............................................................................................................ 114 6.3 Recommendations ................................................................................................. 115 ANNEXURE .................................................................................................................... 116 LIST OF SOURCES ....................................................................................................... 119 iv FOREWORD I thank God for this wonderful opportunity to study the Scriptures in depth. This work was achieved through the Lord’s help and guidance. I hope that He will bless this work, so that it becomes an instrument for the Kingdom of God in the particular context of Mozambique. I would like to express a special word of appreciation to my supervisor, Prof Dr SJ van der Merwe. His acute insight, relevant comments, continuous encouragement and wise suggestions have given me the strength to persevere with this study up to its final stage. May the Almighty God bless you abundantly. Finally, this study has been supported by my understanding and patient wife, Aurora, and my children Alsides, Tessalónica and Ilundy. Thank you for your patience towards me during my long absences from home, due to research. v ABSTRACT The focus of this study was to investigate and describe