An Overlooked Legacy: AME Church Primary and Secondary Schools in Districts 14-20
By John Thomas III, Editor
The following is an excerpt from a statement made at the 2004 General Conference: “The African Methodist Episcopal Church has regarded its unique calling to be a ministry of liberation for and on behalf of the African and African-American communities, and a prophetic voice for oppressed people everywhere. The primary manifestation of this liberation ministry has been education. Education has been viewed as the vehicle to improved intellectual capacity, political and civil rights, social justice, satisfying employment opportunities and economic viability.”
This avowal sums up the central place that education has in the life and witness of African Methodism. Yet, when education is discussed, the usual topics are AME-affiliated colleges, universities, and seminaries.
Since the founding of Wilberforce University in 1856, the AME Church has created opportunities for advancement in higher education that were closed to people of African descent in the United States, South Africa, and Liberia. AMEs take great pride in “our schools” and the Episcopal districts where they are located have a special bond with them. Even as discussions happen across the church as to what the future of AME Church’s involvement in higher education will be there is no question that they will have a future.
The AME Church’s imprint on education, however, is not only at the university level. In Districts 14-20, primary and secondary schools affiliated with AME Churches offer educational opportunities from Ghana to Guyana. Over 30,000 children are educated annually in AME-affiliated primary and secondary schools outside of the United States. Many of these schools have been in existence for decades and most are an integral part of their country’s educational system. When asked about the schools in his Episcopal district, Bishop Earl McCloud commented, “Our schools in the 14thEpiscopal District and elsewhere provide learning opportunities for boys and girls that might never see the inside of a classroom otherwise.” Other bishops have echoed similar reactions.
These primary and secondary schools not only educate communities, but they also provide employment and avenues for ministry and outreach. In some countries, the schools are wholly-owned and operated by the AME Church. For example, in Suriname, an AME School Board exists as part of the Annual Conference. In many parts of Malawi and Zimbabwe, the Denomination is responsible for providing the facility and the government assigns a principal and teachers. In Lesotho, the AME-affiliated schools receive a small subsidy from the government. There is diversity in administration; yet, these schools are a key part of the identity and ministry of the AME Church presence where they exist.
Despite their importance, primary and secondary schools in Districts 14-20 have gone largely unnoticed by the Connectional Church. The former “Commission on Higher Education” was renamed in the early 2000s as the “Commission on Seminaries, Universities, Colleges and Schools” to reflect a broader AME educational presence. However, rarely are any schools outside of the universities and seminaries recognized at its meetings.
Of the more than 80 primary and secondary AME-affiliated schools located outside of the United States, only five receive funds from the Connectional Church’s “Extended Education Budget.” They include Ann Heath Academy in Ghana; Richard Allen High School in Sierra Leone; Monrovia College and Industrial Training School and Daniels-Adams School of Excellence, both in Liberia; and Sizane High School in Zimbabwe. An attempt by the General Board was made to provide some funding for schools in Districts 16, 18, and 20 in the 2016-2020 Budget; however, these funds have not been able to be accessed. While all Episcopal districts outside of the United States receive an allocation for development, assisting the schools must be balanced with other needs.
Education is at the core of the AME Church ministry. While their wide awareness across the Connectional Church of our universities and seminaries, the AME Church must do more to recognize and assist the AME-affiliated primary and secondary schools in Districts 14-20. The Connectional Church’s budget needs to be revised for the inclusion of these educational institutions. Congregations inside the United States should be encouraged to adopt schools and assist in meeting needs. An opportunity must be given for the condition and activities of these schools to be shared beyond their annual conferences and Episcopal districts. With effort, this overlooked part of the AME Church’s educational legacy can receive the attention it has long-needed to continue to thrive.
Primary and secondary schools as reported to The Christian Recorder by annual conference (see note at bottom)
14thEpiscopal District
Ghana Ann Heath Academy 262 (121 Boys, 141 Girls)
Liberia Monrovia College 500
Daniels-Adams School 208 (109 Boys, 99 Girls)
Sierra Leone Richard Allen High School 2,736 (559 Boys, 2177 Girls)
St. Helena Secondary School 2,250 (663 Boys, 1,587 Girls)
Total 14th Episcopal District: 5956 students
16thEpiscopal District
Dominican
Brazil School of the Prophets 100
Bahia 60
Rio 180
Dominican Republic Bethel School (Zion) 850
Impacto de Vida 151
Mission David* 264
Bethel Samana 100+ (rental)
Guyana-Suriname.
Guyana 30 (day care)
Suriname Talbot 1559 (total for all schools)
Gaines
Blakely
Rankin
Clarke
Themen
Haiti Lula Brockington 740
Canaan Christ Revient 118
LL Berry 186
Delice 64
Bethel Cabaret 124
Rosetta Lee 150
Jamaica (all pre-school) St. Matthews Basic 16
Bethel Basic 7
St. John 43
Mount Faith 29
Wrights Temple 8
Greater Selby’s 22
Mt Olivet 31
Chapel (in partnership) 105
Windward Islands
Trinidad Gaines Normal 157
Bethsaida pre-school 25
Pillows of Excellence 70
Tender Lambs 25 (pre-school)
Barbados Sealy Memorial 10
Total 16thEpiscopal District: 5232 Students
17thEpiscopal District
East Congo/Great Lakes Institute Faraja 115
Muhungano 135
Ushindi Institute 70
Ushindi Primary 310
Kabeka Primary 85
Maaziba Primary 138
Rabeli Primary 103
Mwamitwa Primary 123
Myanga Institute 112
Kamitunga Secondary 213
Kakemenge Institute 85
Bubira Primary 108
Kyugama Institute 111
Total 17th 1708 students
20thEpiscopal District
Malawi North
Abuzga Primary 562 (287 Boys, 275 Girls)
Malawi Central
Chidongo Primary 669 (329 Boys, 340 Girls)
Phanga Ball Primary 801 (421 Boys, 380 Girls)
Isawala Primary 730 (360 Boys, 370 Girls)
Chilinda Secondary 166 (70 Boys, 96 Girls)
Chilinda Primary 701 (352 Boys, 349 Girls)
Chibwe Primary 1065 (520 Boys, 545 Girls)
Chang’ombe Primary 462 (235 Boys, 227 Girls)
Misozi Primary 1016 (518 Boys, 498 Girls)
Kachereza Primary 840 (392 Boys, 448 Girls)
Hannock Msokera 1415 (717 Boys, 698 Girls)
Kakhome Secondary 138 (81Boys, 57 Girls)
Kakhome Primary 944 (407 Boys, 537 Girls)
Kasikidzi Primary 616 (304 Boys, 312 Girls)
Kasinamctenje Primary 818 (396 Boys, 422 Girls)
Kalulu Primary 574 (271 Boys, 303 Girls)
Chimwaye Primary 471 (246 Boys, 225 Girls)
Mtendere Primary 550 (250 Boys, 300 Girls)
Ntchuka Primary 363 (172 Boys, 191 Girls)
Kavikula Primary 877 (390 Boys, 487 Girls)
Changantole Primary 267 (132 Boys, 135 Girls)
Makumbo Primary 338 (171 Boys, 167 Girls)
Kasani Primary 102 (45 Boys, 57 Girls)
Mtazi Primary 205 (107 Boys, 98 Girls)
Northeast Zimbabwe
Materna Primary 362 (127 Boys, 235 Girls)
Escola Comunitaria Africana Metodista 233 (112 Boys, 111 Girls)
This school is in Mozambique.
Southwest Zimbabwe
Sizane High School 1425 (661 Boys, 774 Girls)
Mapueme Primary 188 (94 Boys, 94 Girls)
Mapueme Secondary 72 (32 Boys, 40 Girls)
Makwe Primary 239 (102 Boys, 137 Girls)
Mpindo Primary 203 (98 Boys, 105 Girls)
Total 20thEpiscopal District: 17, 412
Total reported from Districts 14-20: 30,308 students
(Note: Information as received by time of printing. Episcopal Districts 15 and 19 reported no schools. 18thEpiscopal District had not submitted full records by time of printing. 20thEpiscopal District information was published previously in the Voice of Missions.)
