Values-Driven Education -Part 1

At the 6th Annual Exhibition of Institutions hosted by the National Council for Higher Education ARCC was asked to present a paper on "The Role of Universities in Advancing National Cohesion and Integration." The following is a portion of the paper presented by Jeff Atherstone, the Director of ARCC, on the role of values in education for advancing national cohesion and integration.

INTRODUCTION

It is of great encouragement to see the National Council for Higher Education addressing the topic of national cohesion and integration. Cohesion and integration are not an event but rather a process of leading different groups of people across different regions to become united citizens with a common outlook to the future.

If you were to judge the cohesion and integration of Uganda based on the headlines of the newspapers this country would not receive passing marks. Based on headlines you could summarize that people are looking out only for themselves and that there is little to unite the people of Uganda. Politicians are embroiled incorruption scandals, our policebeing ranked the most corrupt in East Africa, national leaders have been caught participating in land grabbing, and university lecturers at odds with their leaders are some of the many headlines you can read.

On the other hand, we have plenty of landmarks that could serve as rally points for unity. Uganda’s first gold medal in 40 years, the discovery of oil which could bring great wealth and prosperity and most especially the celebration of 50 years of independence but at this time that unity is not felt or seen by the common man or mere newspaper observer.

When we have a cohesive and integrated society it means that as a country we have common aims and that we pursue our aspirations together. Where cohesion and integration are lacking, society is characterized by discrimination, animosity, mistrust, and bad blood. In such a society people are driven to identify with their own tribe, religious group or any other society of their interest – sometimes characterized by unhealthy competition, bigotry and even violence against those perceived to be different. Wasn’t this the scenario we witnessed in Uganda after our last elections and the riots that followed?

In order to advance national cohesion and integration this great nation needs a unifying link to rally around. For example, in times of war nations can unite over a common enemy. In times of natural disaster nations unite over a common loss and grief. But as we celebrate the year of jubilee the public and private universities of Uganda need to help our nation unite around a common vision for the future.

I would like to make the case that we, the public and private universities of Uganda, have a great window of opportunity to promote and advance national cohesion and integration. Specifically I would recommend a holistic approach to education that is values-driven.  As Universities we need to instill values into our educational system that promote a vision for a greater future for Uganda and promote the common good of all members of society.

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

With over 55% of the population below 18 years of age and more students reaching university than any period before in our nations history we have the opportunity to instill national values into the next generation of Uganda’s leaders more thoroughly and swiftly that ever before. As our young people transition from adolescence to adulthood their character is taking full shape. University is a key stage in their development to instill values, which will set the course for their future.

Universities are the eyes to society. Our classrooms and halls are filled with passionate debate and dialogue about the past, the present and most especially the future of our nation. We are the thinkers, creators and dreamers of society with the brightest and most energetic audience. We cannot waste their time with endless hours of dichotomous lectures that dictate the student’s path but rather we must implant values, which provide a guide as the students chart out a greater future for themselves, their communities and this country.

Some upon hearing the term “values-driven education” might already be making a case in their heads as to the cost of implementing a new philosophy of education and feel that their university staffs are already over worked making it impossible to implement such a system. I will argue today that a values-driven education could actually reduce the workload for staff and increase the sustainability of Uganda’s universities. Imparting values can also better equip students for their professional careers as these values prepare them to handle the practical out-workings of their courses with values serving as their constant guide.  

Africa Renewal University?

On September 3 we had a two hour meeting with the National Council for Higher Education to present our case to become a University. The meeting went very well and we were told that they would present our application for a Letter of Interim Authority to become a university on September 19.

At 4 PM today they called... you can be assured that my heart was pounding!

Unfortunately it wasn't the news we were expecting. The council recently appointed many new members and they were unable to get around to the 25 applications on their agenda... including ours!

Now we will have to wait until their next meeting in December as we continue to pray for a positive response.

It was good news that they called right away. We are sure that they are aware that we are eager and ready to begin. They have heard our presentation and they know where we are heading.

Continue to pray with us that we will be granted our Letter of Interim Authority in December!

A Call for Leaders of Integrity

Our society is in dire need of leaders with integrity and an agenda for transformation. This has been my conviction for some time now, but the trip to eastern Uganda confirmed it in a way I least expected. The trip had two goals. First, to meet the onsite internship supervisors, in order to review the progress of five of our students who have been posted for a ten-week internship in Tororo, Mbale and Kumi. Second, was to meet the staff/congregations of these organizations/churches and talk to them about training opportunities at Africa Renewal Christian College (ARCC).  In each of the locations I visited, the on-site supervisors expressed gratitude to ARCC for training students to exercise exemplary leadership qualities. Those doing pastoral internship were lauded for their commitment to tasks, innovation of new programs and reviving the congregations. Likewise those in child development organizations (Compassion International and Food for the Hungry) were exemplary in their commitment to the children’s cause and inspiring fellow staff. It was very gratifying to listen to these positive testimonies about our students. But the innovation and passion with which our students approached their work was in stark contrast to the declining level of leadership in the region. This was a concern leaders voiced in all these locations.

My visit came at a time when communities in the districts of Kumi, Mbale and Tororo were grappling with two major concerns. First, there was the Bududa landslide that had displaced people and killed others as it has always done. Unfortunately, the victims of these landslides never got all the resources collected for their assistance. One of the leaders noted that through corruption, some resources are diverted by those who are least affected yet have influence. It is this lack of trust in their leaders that causes some villagers to stick around in dangerous locations despite the call to vacate.

The second concern was the worsening state of the main road that links Tororo, Mbale, Kumi and Soroti. With frequent accidents being reported and long delays due to the bad state of the road, there was already talk of demonstrations being organized to voice people’s dissatisfaction with the slow and untroubled response of their leaders to the issue.

As I reflected on what I saw and heard it became clearer to me that indeed we need leaders of integrity, leaders who are moved by the suffering of those they lead, leaders with a passion for the transformation of their communities. Training such leaders is what ARCC exists to do. And the good example of our internship students is testimony to the viability of this project. But the need is greater in comparison to our current capacity. Hopefully ARCC will soon rather than later have the capacity to match its output to the dire need out there.

Samuel Onyait

B.Th, PGD, MA. (Dev’t)

Martin's Testinony

Martin Ogwang grew up in Apac District in Northern Uganda and has seen first hand the devastating effects of war and child abductions in his land throughout his lifetime. As an adult he has committed himself to rebuilding and restoring Uganda through caring for children and equipping leaders. Currently he serves as the Director of Programs for Africa Renewal Ministries with a specific focus on developing next generation leaders.

I (Jeff) first met Martin in 2009 as we were working together with the VIVA Network to host trainings for child development workers throughout Uganda. I was struck instantly by his personal commitment to modeling for others the importance of caring for children. He would spend his Christmas holidays hosting parties and camps for orphans and vulnerable children and often he would spend his weekends visiting various child care centers to spend time with the children.

We were fortunate to have Martin accept to teach at ARCC in September 2010 as we started our Diploma in Child Development. It was obvious to students and his fellow staff that Martin was not simply teaching theory but instead that he was sharing his life passion of caring for children as he sought to equip them to be the next generation of leaders for Uganda.

Recently I discovered that there were a group of 3 students from his home church, Amorigoga Assemblies of God that Martin had specifically paid for to attend ARCC. Encouraged by his commitment I asked Martin to share why he was supporting these students.

When Martin first gave his life to Christ in 1985 the nearest church to him home was an 18KM walk through the swamp and forest. Full of zeal for the Lord and passion to reach his community Martin helped to plant Amorigoga Assemblies of God by cutting down trees and helping to construct a grass thatched structure. Over the years that church has become a pillar in the community and has seen over 20 churches planted out from it.  That church is also the place where his grandmother, father, mother and brothers all worship and came to know Christ so it is very dear to his heart.

The pastors that serve in this church and the other church plants have great zeal for evangelism which has led to great growth but unfortunately due to lack of training there is no discipleship taking place in these churches. Martin's desire is to see over 50 leaders trained in this region so that these churches can experience growth like never before as leaders are trained and discipleship begins to take place. 

Martin is doing his part to ensure that at least 3 of them receive the training they need and you can help!

At ARCC we are committed to continually reaching the regions of Apac and beyond through the ARCC Scholarship Fund. If you would like to help see more leaders trained click here to support the Scholarship Fund.

Africa Renewal University

We have some big news...

We are applying to become a University!

Our vision of equipping Christian leaders to transform society has lead us down a path where we are compelled to train leaders for the church and leaders for the Christian ministries of East Africa. In order to do this we have been encouraged to increase our programs and elevate them to the Bachelors Degree level. 

Over the last 3 months we have shared this vision and have won grants from three Christian foundations and new support from various churches and individuals. It is exciting to see the support of this project!

As we head down this path we have developed four commitments which will define our vision of establishing a premier university  committed to equipping Christian leaders for the transformation of society.

1)   To develop unique programs with a Christian worldview embedded into the framework of each class

2)   To build a university campus that provides a model of our Christian Worldview in the way we care for creation

3)   To provide practical outlets for students to apply a Christian worldview through serving the community

4)   To become sustainable in providing Christian worldview training through recruiting excellent staff committed to producing quality graduates

This Monday September 3 at 2PM EAT we have been invited to present this vision before the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE). They have received our application and now they are asking us to give them convincing evidence of our commitment to this project. We would ask that you join us in prayer this weekend as we prepare for this presentation and specifically that God would grant us favor before the NCHE. The NCHE will then debate our application and presentation and give us a response by the end of the month as to our next steps in this process.

Please join us in prayer... Land Update!

This isn’t our last chance to resolve the land issue… but it is our last opportunity until the end of August.

The Ugandan courts shut down this Friday for the yearly court recess… do all countries do this?

Fortunately we got a court date for this Thursday in hopes of clearing the squatters off our land once and for all. This date is crucial because the squatters have started building again. They put a whole house up in one month and the police did nothing to stop them… this is so frustrating since we already won a court injunction to stop new construction. Look how much they have built in 30 days!

Most likely it means that the squatters are now paying the police bribes to leave them alone.

Our prayer is that the court will:

1)   Rule in our favor to clear the squatters

2)   Issue an arrest warrant for a man named Ddumba. He is the ringleader who is encouraging the squatters to build and he build the house that just went up.

3)   Give a court order to send court bailiffs to clear the squatters off the land

Please also pray for our staff. Not being at peace with our neighbors is taxing and presents a number of challenges for the staff in the community. More than anything we want the court to resolve this so we can have peace on our campus.

Join us in prayer this week as we pray for peace on our land!

Come as a learner...

In the last few years there have been a number of books that have examined the "help" that Americans provide overseas. "When Helping Hurts" and "Toxic Charity" stick out as my personal favorites.

The challenge is not that Americans go overseas intending to hurt people. Millions of well intentioned people travel overseas to help each year which is a great thing.

The challenge is that too often Americans go overseas as the "experts" and do not seek to understand what type of help the people need or do not take the time to understand that other cultures behave and communicate differently. Many cultures would be embarrassed or even ashamed to turn away our help despite the damage it might bring in fear of offending their visitors from the US.

 

 

This last week we received one of our greatest Short Term Teams of all-time and I do not say this lightly. This team  came simply to learn from our staff and the impact will be felt for years.

As a former Youth Pastor I think that it is great for High School students to travel overseas and expand their worldview. This trip will have a lasting impact on each of the students who came. I think the impact for them will be even greater because they took the time to listen to 4 different sessions taught by our staff on the issues facing Africa today including orphans and vulnerable children, development in the majority world and hands on learning on our school farm. Each of these students will have a greater understanding of how the rest of the world lives because they took the time to learn from the Africans they came to visit.

But the Americans weren't the only ones to benefit from the visit. It was an empowering exercise for our entire staff.  For most of them their experience has been that the Americans come over to teach them and they are to sit and learn from the wise Americans. Unfortunately this has brought about feelings of inferiority rather than building authentic relationships and mutual partnerships. 

By coming as learners the African staff were giving permission to share their own spiritual gifts and personal testimonies in a way that could build up the church in the US. Hearing the testimonies from the staff this truly is the deepest connection they have ever experienced with a short-term team in such a short period of time.

My suggestion to all groups planning short term mission trips overseas would be to incorporate a time of learning into your next trip. Meet with churches, schools and ministries that are having a great kingdom impact and seek to understand what they are doing to transform their communities. By learning from them you will gain a greater understanding of how to minister  in that culture and you might be surprised - they just might end up being a blessing to you and give you some great ideas to bring back to your church and community!