DOY PREPARES TO OPEN MANO WADROKA SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY & MINISTRY

Preparations are currently underway at the Diocese of Ysabel Headquarters in Jejevo Ysabel Province for the official launching of the Diploma in Theology Programme at Mano Wadrokal School of Theology and Ministry, Tasia on Friday 25th of May 2012.

The formal launching programme comes about as part of the Anglican Church of Melanesia Theological Education Review strategic plan 2009-2011. The decentralization plan was formally endorsed in the Church General Synod in November 2012. The formal endorsement allows the current Diploma in Theology Programme that is being taught at Bishop Patteson Theological College, Kohimarama to be decentralized to the Diocesan Training Centres. The Church has upgraded Airahu Training Centre (in the Diocese of Malaita, Tasia (in the Diocese of Ysabel and Fisher Young (in the Diocese of Banks and Torres in the republic of Vanuatu) become Schools of theology to host this programme. Airahu and Tasia have enrolled their first foundation year students at the beginning of this year, While Fisher Young will have its enrolment next year 2013.

The decentralization process means that Bishop Patteson theological College (BPTC) Kohimarama will only offer the Bachelor of Theology Degree programme and will supervise the academic requirements of the Diploma in Theology Programme on behalf of the South Pacific Association of Theological Schools, the (an Academic Accreditation Body which accreditated the  Theology Schools/colleges in the South Pacific).

The Chairman of the BPTC Board of Governors The Most Reverend David Vunagi and the Church senior officials and the Academic Teaching Faculty of Bishop BPTC Kohimarama will attend the launching. Official invitations have been extended to the National Government, the three (3) Members of Parliament of Ysabel province, the Provincial Premier and Executive of Ysabel Province, Chiefs and communities around Maringe to attend the event.

The occasion marks an important step in the development of theological education and training in the Anglican Church of Melanesia where a Diploma in theology programme has been decentralised to the rural areas that is accessible to the rural populations for both men and women to access quality theological education and training that is relevant in context and academic in nature.