Malawian President Peter Mutharika has eliminated development fees at government schools and received widespread support for the policy change. He announced during the 52nd Session of Parliament that families will no longer pay these charges at primary and secondary institutions, though boarding costs remain for residential students.
Tawonga Manda, who chairs the Old Mutual Foundation Trust in Blantyre, praised the decision as an important step toward removing financial barriers to schooling. The foundation currently provides scholarships to 361 secondary students nationwide and has spent more than 500 million kwacha on this program over four years. Manda said the government action will help many families struggling with educational expenses and prevent children from leaving school due to money problems.
The foundation continues building classroom facilities at primary schools to improve learning conditions. Manda acknowledged that scholarship demand exceeds available resources despite the organization's contributions. The new policy should reduce student departures from the education system and allow more young people to complete their studies, he said.
Tawonga Manda, who chairs the Old Mutual Foundation Trust in Blantyre, praised the decision as an important step toward removing financial barriers to schooling. The foundation currently provides scholarships to 361 secondary students nationwide and has spent more than 500 million kwacha on this program over four years. Manda said the government action will help many families struggling with educational expenses and prevent children from leaving school due to money problems.
The foundation continues building classroom facilities at primary schools to improve learning conditions. Manda acknowledged that scholarship demand exceeds available resources despite the organization's contributions. The new policy should reduce student departures from the education system and allow more young people to complete their studies, he said.
