OVER 300 PUPILS STRANDED AS GOVERNMENT FAILS TO PAY CDF BURSARIES, SCHOOL RUNS OUT OF FOOD IN MAMBWE.
Over 300 pupils at St. Luke’s Secondary School in Mambwe District are facing an uncertain future after the government failed to pay their boarding school fees for Terms Two and Three, leaving the school struggling to provide food.
Anglican Diocese of Eastern Zambia Education Secretary and Vicar General, Fr. Edward Zimba, has told Zambian Watch that the government owes the school more than K1 million, adding that feeding the pupils has become increasingly difficult.
The school has pupils sponsored under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursary scheme by Mambwe Town Council, Lundazi and Chipata City Council.
However, the failure to settle their outstanding fees has affected the school’s operations.
Fr. Zimba says the school has accumulated debts with suppliers, while individuals who previously supported its operations are no longer willing to extend assistance.
He says engagements with relevant authorities have so far yielded no positive results, leaving the school with no option but to consider releasing the affected pupils.
However, Mambwe District Education Board Secretary (DEBS), Dr. Mathias Chunga, says the Ministry of Education is aware of the situation and has assured parents that the pupils will not be sent away.
Dr. Chunga says his office engaged Chieftainess Msoro, who donated foodstuffs to the school three weeks ago, while further engagements with local stakeholders are underway to find a lasting solution to the food shortage.
He adds that the government, through the Eastern Province Education Office, is also working to secure funds under the school feeding programme to support St. Luke’s Secondary School.
Dr. Chunga has acknowledged the challenge of delayed CDF bursary payments and urged local authorities to ensure that outstanding fees are settled once funds become available.
Zambian Watch.