In various ways, the Society of Jesus is very much involved in education in Madagascar. At the university level, it is in the process of bringing together various professional institutes by forming the Université Magis. But, as in many other countries, it is through its “colleges” (which include the primary and secondary levels) that the Jesuits have established their reputation. Much has been said about the Collège Saint Michel in the capital Antananarivo; located 600 km to the south, in Mananjary, the Collège de l’Immaculée Conception (CIC) offers the young people of the region the spiritual and educational tradition of the Society.

Father General’s visit to the Province of Madagascar, including the south of the country, gives us the opportunity to get to know this institution headed by Fr. Andry (Herizafiniaina Andrianaivosoa). We interviewed him.

Father Andry, first of all, a few historical notes about the CIC?

The college was founded by a French Jesuit in 1956, It then passed briefly under the direction of a congregation of teaching brothers, then of the diocese, then of a French group before returning to the Jesuits (first the Polish Jesuits) in 1987. The Province of Madagascar has assumed full responsibility for it since 2004.

How does the college respond to the needs of young people in the region?

The objective has always been to provide a quality education to the young people of Mananjary. The school is accessible to all. Like all other Jesuit institutions, the CIC strives to provide a holistic education. The poverty and difficulties that the young people of Mananjary face in their families and in society require an education that emphasizes accompaniment and cura personalis, personal attention for each student. The Jesuit education offered by the CIC responds to this need.

Madagascar is struggling to emerge from poverty and to develop for the benefit of all its people. How can Jesuit involvement in education support this?

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Jesuits live with their people. We are convinced that education remains a major key to developing the country. We are open to any collaboration to carry out this double mission of education and poverty eradication.

In some of the developing countries, the Jesuits have been criticized for forming an elite, young people who, as soon as they have the possibility, leave the country and take advantage of their formation to create a future abroad. What is the situation here?

Admittedly, our Jesuit schools were known to favour elitism. But conversion is always possible! Gradually, we have moved away from elitism. We are convinced that our mission is to form committed young people, not to promote elitism. We are happy to help our students with the spirit of the Ignatian Magis. The document “A Living Tradition”, which outlines the orientations of Jesuit education for today, shows us the way for educating to face the challenges of the 21^st century society. In this spirit, we trust that our young people will take a greater interest in the development of their own country.

And how is the spiritual and religious dimension experienced at CIC? Are the students open to it?

Yes, they are very receptive to it. The CIC is a Catholic school that is open to all, regardless of their religious affiliation. The school is the place par excellence to live ecumenism, because the Ignatian spirituality that guides us goes beyond the simple practice of rites. We offer retreats to our young people; we also teach them the practice of the examen of conscience. Our ways of accompanying them show them the richness of Ignatian spirituality. so overall, our young people benefit from it greatly.

To give a concrete face to what he says, Father Andry shared with us the testimony of a former student, Cynthia Yvette Heliharisoa.