University Student Allowance Raised, Education Coalition Applauds Government
The group also urged the Higher Education Loans and Grants Board to increase its loan recovery efforts to reduce the burden on taxpayers and ensure the fund's long-term sustainability.
LILONGWE, Malawi- The Civil Society Education Coalition praised the government's decision to increase the university student upkeep allowance from K350,000 to K560,000 per student in the 2024-2025 budget, writes Winston Mwale.
In a statement issued Monday, the coalition said the "bold decision reaffirms the government's steadfast commitment to supporting the educational aspirations of our youth."
"This adjustment recognizes the financial hurdles students encounter during their pursuit of higher education and aims to alleviate these challenges," the statement said.
"By bolstering the allowance, the government cultivates an environment where students can excel academically without the burden of financial constraints."
The coalition acknowledged the new allowance amount was slightly below the 600,000 Kwacha it had advocated for, but welcomed it as a step in the right direction to help students afford expenses like food, housing and study materials.
"We encourage the recipient students to embrace this generous provision responsibly, viewing it as a catalyst for advancing their education," said Benedicto Kondowe, CSEC's executive director.
The group also urged the Higher Education Loans and Grants Board to increase its loan recovery efforts to reduce the burden on taxpayers and ensure the fund's long-term sustainability.