Canisius Secondary School is one of the earliest centres of learning in

Zambia Zambia (), officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa, although it is typically referred to as being in Southern Africa at its most cent ...

. It is located at Chikuni Mission about 10 km east of Chisekesi town in

Monze District Monze District is a district of Zambia Zambia (), officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central, Southern and East Africa, although it is typically referred to as being in Southern Africa at its ...

in the Southern Province. The history of the school starts with the founding of Chikuni Mission in July 1905 by

Catholic Church The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

missionary Fr Joseph Moreau S.J, of the

Society of Jesus , image = Ihs-logo.svg , image_size = 175px , caption = ChristogramOfficial seal of the Jesuits , abbreviation = SJ , nickname = Jesuits , formation = , founders ...

(Jesuits) order of priests and brothers. The school is named after Saint Peter Canisius (

Petrus Canisius Peter Canisius ( nl, Pieter Kanis; 8 May 1521 – 21 December 1597) was a Dutch Jesuit Catholic priest. He became known for his strong support for the Catholic faith during the Protestant Reformation in Germany, Austria, Bohemia, Moravia, Swit ...

), the first Dutchman to join the Jesuits. Primary schools were started at Chikuni and surrounding areas from the time the mission was founded, but it was only in August 1949 that the secondary school was opened. In 2009, the school celebrated 60 years of education to the people of Zambia. Today, both the local Jesuits and expatriate Jesuits belonging to the Zambia Malawi province continue to minister in this institution. Currently, the student population revolves around 700 students both from around Chikuni area and also from across the nation. The core values promoted by the Jesuit education in Zambia and indeed throughout the world is informed by the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) which focuses on the dignity of an individual. In educating the students, Jesuits also aim at forming the conscience of their students so that in term the students will be able to have preferential option for the poor, underprivileged and those who live on the margins of society. Furthermore, that they may be able to promote faith that does justice. The Jesuit education fosters to develop a complete human being in all circles of human growth.

See also