A total of 52 needy students in Karonga can offer a smile as a well wisher has come to their rescue. One of the businessmen in the district Duncan Kaonga committed to paying school fees for two students at Chilumba Secondary School and committed to sponsoring 50 more at a private institution, in a move aimed at improving access to education for underprivileged learners in the area.
The two students had been struggling with outstanding tuition fees totalling K460,000, preventing them from completing the school term. Upon learning of their situation, Kaonga settled the full amount, allowing them to resume classes without disruption.
In a further show of support, Kaonga pledged to sponsor 50 students; 25 boys and 25 girls from Chilumba at Maranatha Academy starting in September. The sponsorship will cover tuition and all related academic expenses.
According to sources close to the initiative, the support package will cost approximately K250 million per year. The students are expected to be officially inaugurated at a community event in Chilumba in August, ahead of their enrolment.
This development comes at a time when access to quality education remains a challenge for many rural learners in Malawi due to economic constraints. Stakeholders have praised the sponsorship as a potential game-changer for the beneficiaries, who are expected to benefit from Maranatha Academy’s rigorous academic environment.
Efforts to bridge the education gap remain a key focus in national development goals, with public-private partnerships and philanthropic initiatives playing an increasingly important role.
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