Education Dreams Dashed: Needy Students in Shire Valley Struggle Amid Funding Shortfall
Lack of school fees for numerous students in the Shire Valley region has led to a distressing increase in school drop-out rates, writes Gerald Viola.
NSANJE & CHIKWAWA, Malawi-Lack of school fees for numerous students in the Shire Valley region has led to a distressing increase in school drop-out rates, writes Gerald Viola.
To address this pressing issue, the Socio-economic Development Trust for Nsanje and Chikwawa (NECK) has been diligently raising funds through a WhatsApp group to support these deserving students.
However, the demand for assistance continues to surpass available resources, leaving many students unable to access education, a fundamental human right.
NECK was established with the goal of fostering unity in the Shire Valley districts of Nsanje and Chikwawa through various interventions, including cultural heritage preservation and socio-economic development.
Throughout its existence, NECK has extended support to its members during bereavement, misfortunes, and disasters.
In times of crises affecting the Shire Valley, NECK has consistently provided relief aid to affected individuals. Notably, the trust has also constructed a house in Nsanje district for the revered musician Ndamera, known for the hit song "Lucky Stars Chinafuna m'bale."
Since 2016, NECK has assisted over 25 needy students, encompassing both secondary school and college students.
Among them are Matilinyu Silva, Peace Anderson, and Malizani Mabvuto, who have benefited from NECK's contributions through its membership.
Mabvuto, currently in his final year at the University of Malawi in Zomba, expressed his gratitude, saying, "I owe my academic journey to NECK and Dr Kamiza. Their support has enabled me to meet my financial obligations, ensuring timely rental payments and adequate provisions for food and groceries. I encourage my fellow students to persevere through challenges, for financial difficulties should serve as stepping stones to hard work and ultimately attract the support of well-wishers impressed by academic excellence and good behaviour."
Nevertheless, NECK faces significant challenges in supporting numerous needy students due to the voluntary nature of contributions, resulting in limited participation from members.
"Our primary hurdle lies in the fact that there are many needy students, and we rely solely on the goodwill of our members. Unfortunately, fatigue has set in," explained King Norman Rudi, the President of NECK.
Rudi further revealed that NECK member Dr Kamiza directly assists Malizani Mabvuto on behalf of the group. At one point, two students from Zomba Catholic Secondary School were on the verge of dropping out when NECK failed to raise sufficient school fees.
It took Mr Rudi's outreach efforts and the support of external partners to rescue the situation.
The Malawi government makes efforts to aid needy students through the Loans Board and the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). While K5 million is allocated in the CDF for secondary education, delays in loan approval processes and inadequate funding for private university students pose significant obstacles.
The Loans Board struggles to meet the demands of all needy students, resulting in some students being unable to secure the remaining fifty percent of their fees, while others are entirely excluded from the beneficiaries' list. Consequently, these students are compelled to seek assistance from their Members of Parliament.
Gladys Ganda, MP for Nsanje Lalanje, expressed her overwhelming concern, stating, "It is unfortunate that the current CDF guidelines do not permit MPs to cater to tertiary education. Even if the guidelines are amended to accommodate college students, the allocated K5 million is insufficient. We are currently unable to pay school fees for many struggling secondary school students, so how can we manage with college students? We must reevaluate the CDF allocation for needy students and advocate for a separate bursary within the CDF to assist college students.
“This will enable Members of Parliament to support those needy students who have not been selected for loans. The current pressure on MPs to cover the funding shortfall is unsustainable. The proposed increase in funding should encompass the entire CDF and not just a specific allocation for bursaries.”
Nsanje and Chikwawa districts have a significant number of citizens who benefited from the school fee bursary provided by the late Gwanda Chakuamba in the 1980s and early 1990s.
With the arrival of NECK, a socio-economic and development trust, many residents of the Shire Valley believe that more substantial support will be extended to areas in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
NECK is set to commemorate its seventh year of existence in October this year, reflecting on its contributions and reaffirming its commitment to uplifting the educational prospects of underprivileged students.