Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera, MFN Reporter
November 4, 2026
Balaka District Council has disbursed K118.9 million in education bursaries to 317 needy students across the district’s five constituencies for the 2026/2027 academic year under the Reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF), in a move aimed at improving access to education for financially disadvantaged learners.
The bursary programme has benefited 160 boys and 157 girls, representing an almost equal distribution of educational support between male and female students.
Balaka District Commissioner Bibu Yusufu Mdala told the Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Wednesday that the K118.9 million represents the first tranche of the disbursement, adding that the process is still underway.
Mdala described the bursary scheme as an important investment in the future of young people, saying financial difficulties should not prevent deserving students from pursuing their education.
“The provision of bursaries is an important investment in the future of our children. We believe that financial challenges should not prevent deserving learners from accessing education,” said Mdala.
He encouraged beneficiaries to remain committed to their studies and use the financial assistance responsibly.
The District Commissioner also called on stakeholders to ensure that all eligible students who applied for support are considered, noting that the allocated funding has not yet reached its intended target.
Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Ngwangwa Constituency, John Bamusi, has commended the government for introducing the bursary initiative, saying it has eased the financial burden on legislators who previously faced growing demands from needy students.
However, Bamusi appealed to the government to consider increasing funding for constituencies with larger populations and higher numbers of students requiring assistance.
Ngwangwa has recorded the highest number of beneficiaries in the district, with 127 students, comprising 59 boys and 68 girls, receiving K46.467 million.
Bamusi said the constituency’s large population, particularly in Balaka town, has created significant demand for educational support.
“Balaka Ngwangwa Constituency has the highest number of beneficiaries, with 127 students comprising 59 boys and 68 girls. We have so far used K46.467 million, and a lot more students are in need of support,” he said.
He further proposed that government should consider reallocating unused funds from constituencies that have not exhausted their allocations to areas with greater demand, subject to the applicable funding guidelines.
Other constituencies have also benefited from the programme.
Balaka Rivirivi Constituency has registered 74 beneficiaries, comprising 48 boys and 26 girls, who have received K34.84 million.
Balaka Bwaila Constituency has supported 64 students, including 22 boys and 42 girls, with K25.35 million.
In Balaka Mulunguzi Constituency, 43 students, comprising 30 boys and 13 girls, have benefited from K9.15 million.
Balaka Ulongwe Constituency has recorded the lowest number of beneficiaries, with nine students, including one boy and eight girls, receiving K3.15 million.
The Reformed CDF bursary scheme is designed to help financially disadvantaged students access secondary and tertiary education.
The programme specifically covers eligible students pursuing diploma programmes at the Malawi College of Health Sciences, as well as those enrolled in technical colleges across Malawi.
With the first round of payments already reaching hundreds of learners, attention is now turning to the continuation of the disbursement process and whether additional needy students will receive support.
The programme’s impact will ultimately depend on the availability of funding, fair selection of beneficiaries and the government’s ability to respond to the growing demand for educational assistance.
