96 Needy Students in Karonga to Benefit from K150 Million CDF Bursary Scheme

A total of 96 needy students in Karonga Town Constituency are expected to benefit from a K150 million bursary scheme under the Reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF), aimed at helping learners from disadvantaged backgrounds meet school fees and continue their education.

Karonga Town Council Chief Executive Officer Magret Kunje said the council had allocated approximately K150 million to the programme, with nearly K50 million expected to be spent each school term.

At Karonga CCAP Girls Secondary School, 16 students are expected to benefit from the initiative.

The school’s Deputy Head Teacher, Martha Nyirongo, said the bursary would provide much-needed support to learners from low-income families, child-headed households and those who have lost both parents.

Nyirongo said the assistance would help vulnerable students remain in school, complete their education and improve their chances of escaping the cycle of poverty.

One of the prospective beneficiaries, Queen Chilambo, a Form Three student at the school, said the bursary would ease the financial pressure on her single parent, who struggles to pay her school fees and purchase essential learning materials.

Chilambo explained that her parent depends on a small-scale business to support the family, making it difficult to meet the costs of her education.

She said the bursary would provide financial relief and allow her to concentrate on her studies without worrying about unpaid school fees and a lack of learning materials.

The scheme is expected to improve access to education for vulnerable learners in Karonga Town Constituency by easing financial barriers that often prevent disadvantaged students from continuing their studies.