KCCB -COMMISSION FOR EDUCATION AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, HOSTS FIRST ‘SPIRITUS PROGRAMME’ FOR EDUCATION COLLABORATORS IN EAST AFRICA.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), in collaboration with the Uganda Catholic Secretariat and the Australian Catholic University (ACU) La Salle Academy, has launched the first-ever Spiritus Programme in East Africa at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
The three-day inaugural event which will run through 22nd– 24th April 2026, has brought together education secretaries, head teachers, religious education advisors and teachers from across the dioceses and the east african region, marking a significant step in strengthening faith-based formation within Catholic schools.
The Spiritus Programme derived from the term Holy Spirit with an angle towards (reliance on the Holy Spirit in evangelization) is designed to provide faith formation and leadership development for Catholic school leaders and educators. It focuses on equipping participants with skills in evangelization and practical approaches to integrating faith within school and ministry contexts. The initiative also serves as a platform for training and certifying leaders under the Spiritus Leaders Network and Catholic Schools Youth Ministry International (CSYMI).
With the Archdiocese of Nairobi being represented by 53 members in the delegation led by the Archdiocesan Education Secretary, Fr. Francis Kiarie, he emphasized the clarion call by His Grace, Most Rev. Philip Anyolo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Nairobi on the need for holistic formation in schools. He noted that the programme brings together a wide range of stakeholders, including board members, chaplains, principals and teachers, to reflect on strengthening value-based education.
The discussions, he said are centered on addressing contemporary challenges in education through renewed evangelization approaches. “Catholic schools must remain key centers of formation, particularly during learners’ formative years,” he said.
Fr. Kiarie also highlighted the alignment of the programme with Kenya’s Competency-Based Education (CBE), noting that value formation, parental involvement and community engagement are essential in nurturing ethical and responsible learners.
“Our commitment is to ensure that after this formation, we implement practical approaches that will make our institutions stronger centers of learning and formation,” he said.
In the homily delivered during Mass, Fr. Beacho one of the programme organizers- underscored the mission of Catholic education as one that goes beyond academic excellence. He told participants that educators are entrusted with the spiritual and moral development of learners and are called to ensure that no child is “lost,” drawing from the example of Christ.
He added that Catholic education should guide learners not only towards professional success but also towards a deeper understanding of faith and purpose.
Peter Woods and organizer of the programme from Australian Catholic University described the programme as a “spirit-led renewal” initiative in Catholic education. He explained that it combines reflection on the Church’s mission of evangelization with practical strategies for making schools centers of faith formation.
The programme, which originated in Australia, has previously been conducted in countries including New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, the United Kingdom and across Europe. Its introduction in East Africa reflects growing collaboration between global Catholic education institutions.
Woods noted that the programme’s expansion into the region is both strategic and timely, citing the strong faith culture and openness among participants as key strengths.
He expressed optimism that the initiative will deepen collaboration and enhance the role of Catholic schools in evangelization across East Africa.
The Spiritus Programme which begun on 22nd April 2026 will run through to 26th April 2026 is expected to strengthen networks among Catholic educators and contribute to the development of value-driven education systems in the region. It will focus on two parts, one on evangelization and understanding the church’s mission of evangelization. This includes a retreat experience and lots of sharing from leading educators.
Part two of the programme will look at the Catholic schools, becoming places of evangelization through formation for the young people. Both of these two parts will be covered in the three-day event. Over 250 members have been recorded to be in attendance with 120 of them being drawn from different dioceses in Kenya.
