Legislators cautioned to localise school bursary

By Pemphero Malimba

Ntcheu Bwanje South Constituency Member of Parliament Mwisho Chilikumtima has said localising the management of school bursary under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) can help to keep less privileged students in school.

Chilikumtima said with the increase in CDF from K40 million to K100 million, MPs must make sure that more students are identified and accommodated in the bursary.

“It is not our job as Mps to be incorporating needy students in bursaries, we must establish and allow local committees that can be looking after these bursaries so that the community leaders themselves should be able to identify the needy beneficiaries,” he said.

He pointed out that his constituency will increase the number of beneficiaries from the current 150 students in various secondary schools.

Chikande Zone Primary Education Advisor in the area Patrick Tyson Chiwaya concurred with Chilikumtima.

“Through the aspect of bursary in CDF, many needy students in Bwanje South Constituency are being helped here and we hope if this gesture is emulated in other parts of the district can help other needy students to realize their dreams of going further with their education,” Chiwaya said.

Recently, a Ntcheu based Non-Government Organisation (NGO) Future for All Foundation appealed for the transparent and speedy utilization of the school bursary under CDF as there were over 72 form one students in various parts of the district who were lacking school fees.