By SIMON MUNTEMBA
GOVERNMENT has released K198 million towards the first term secondary boarding schools and skills development bursary scheme.
Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane, said the resources were part of the 20 percent allocated towards the Secondary Boarding Schools and Skills Development Bursary Scheme from the 2022 Constituency Development Fund.
According to the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the selection of beneficiaries shall be conducted at community level through Ward Development Committees.
In a statement yesterday, Dr Musokotwane, who announced the release of bursary scheme funds, said it was the resolve of Government that savings arising from its policy to restructure expenditures through the elimination of subsidies, such as fuel, should benefit the people.
Dr Musokotwane explained that the bursary component was targeted at beneficiaries who are pursuing tertiary education from each and every constituency to gain skills required in national building.
He said the acquired skills would prepare youths in constituencies to construct classrooms, teachers’ houses, and clinics.
Dr Musokotwane said, using the enhanced allocations of the CDF from K1.6 million to K25.7 million per year for each constituency, the bursaries for skills training would also empower youths to do development works in their areas either as contractors or employees.
He said it was the government’s hope that bursary administrators would fully embrace these guidelines so that they help in achieving the objectives of the Secondary Boarding Schools and Skills Development Bursary Scheme.
