The Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board(HESLGB) has announced an upward adjustment of students tuition and upkeep loans from K280, 000 to K560,000 effective April 1 this year.
Spokesperson for HESLGB Henry Chingaipe disclosed this during a media briefing in Salima district on Friday.
Chingaipe attributed the adjustment to the high cost of living triggered by the kwacha devaluation.
He indicated that 29 thousand students are expected to benefit in the 2024/25 loan application window which starts from May 1 to June 30,2024.
“Stakeholders extensively deliberated on the scenarios that were provided to take into consideration before adjusting the upkeep allowance; specifically, we considered an average inflation rate of 30 percent and the last review of upkeep loans which happened in the academic year 2021-22,” he said.
He added: “Ultimately, they decided on K560,000 as the new upkeep loan, which was derived from the calculation of the current inflation rate compounded over two outward years.
“This translates to a 60 percent upward adjustment applied to the current loan amount of K350,000.”
He said it is worth noting that the K560,000 per student per academic year translates to K280,000 per semester of four months or K70,000 per month within a semester.
On March 6, 2024, President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, in his capacity as Chancellor for the public universities, directed the Ministers of Education and Finance to review the upkeep loans in light of changes in macroeconomic fundamentals.
HESLGB was established in 2015 as one of the reforms for the Ministry of Education in financing higher education.
It is mandated to provide loans and award grants to needy and academically outstanding students, pursuing higher education in accredited institutions of higher learning in Malawi.
President Dr.Lazarus Chakwera on Saturday presided over the signing ceremony of the defence agreement between Malawi and the US’s National Guard Elements of the state of North Carolina at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
The agreement is part of the State Partnership Program (SPP) which, according to the US embassy in the country, has been a cornerstone of US security cooperation efforts around the world.
SSP pairs National Guard elements from the US states with partner countries to foster mutual interests, enhance global security, and build closer ties between the United States and nations worldwide.
In his speech, President Chakwera hailed the agreement, saying it will enhance cooperation for the benefit of the people in the two countries.
“Malawi has been working with the United States in a number of areas such as health, infrastructure development, disaster management, governance, diplomacy, peace and security. This partnership is important as it will extend the already existing relationship,” he said.
On his part Minister of Defence Harry Mkandawire said the partnership is not only about defence but goes beyond several sectors like agriculture and health for the benefit of the people.
He further described it as an opportunity for MDF to boost capacity building and vital equipment to strengthen defence infrastructure.
“This cooperation will provide an opportunity to enhance knowledge and skills in cyber security, as well as search and rescue operation, among others. It will also enhance innovation in the realm of security and defence,” said Mkandawire.
North Carolina National Guard Adjutant General Todd Hunt said the cooperation will go a long way in teaching best practices and techniques in the military.
Since its inception in 1993, SPP has been a cornerstone of US security cooperation efforts around the world.
Malawi joins over 100 other partners with National Guard Units of all 54 American states and territories.
After what could be described as a year long hiatus from frontline politics, Timothy Mtambo , the Commander of the Citizen Transformation Movement has resurfaced. Addressing Malawians at a press briefing held in Lilongwe of Saturday, Mtambo unleashed a new direction for the movement while making commentary of the current economic, social and political state of affairs in Malawi.
“Fellow Malawians, you have known me as an activist. You will recall that 4 years a go, I joined fellow Malawians of goodwill across the country in pressing for change and seeking electoral justice after Malawians had lost hope in the DPP administration. Memories of how we braved the rains, police brutality, the cold and the heat while on the streets are still fresh” an opening statement from Mtambo, the man that is usually known to many as “Comrade”
After giving a brief description of where we are coming from , Mtambo quickly drifted into the expectation that was there when a regime change took place back in 2020 “We all had expectations that we were going to the promised land, Canaan, a land of milk and honey”
Timothy Mtambo at the Press Briefing
Mtambo recalled how promises were made and how Malawians believed in the change that was to come. While acknowledging that the current administration has done well in other areas, The former Minister of National Unity acknowledged that the country is still facing many economic challenges which Malawians thought would come to an end after the current administration came to power.
“We are still in abject poverty and commodity prices are rising every day. The gap between the rich and the poor is increasing and the sluggish economy growth. Currently we are grappling with passport, sugar and hunger crises”
“To many Malawians, access to basic necessities of life is still a nightmare. . , The but majority can hardly afford one meal a day and our health care system continues to struggle. The impact of the recent devaluation cannot be overemphasized and corruption continues to impair our institutions”
Mtambo highlighted that while effects of natural disasters, the Russia Ukraine war and Covid 19May have played a role, the reality is that this is not the change Malawians wanted and voted for.
In making a clarification on the commonly asked question and criticism on why he accepted a ministerial role in the current regime Mtambo said he humbly accepted the appointment not out of self-interest but genuine belief that it was a privileged opportunity to serve the country at the upper echelons of state power. “I had not anticipated the offer of the ministerial position because there were no promises made between President Chakwera and the CFT leadership, or myself during the campaign period”
“I hoped that by accepting the ministerial position, I would easily and effectively contribute to the much-needed political, socio-economic change, and aid in the fight against corruption, cronyism, regionalism and nepotism that were institutionalized by the previous government”
At this Point Mtambo reassured Malawians that activism is in his DNA and that despite his current political path , he will always be an activist.
On his CFT Movement , Mtambo reminded Malawians that the movement is built on what he described as “Ten Revolutionary Commandments” for radical economic and industrial transformation in Malawi. The Commandments include;
Economic Transformation and Industrialization Food Security and Rural Transformation Fighting Corruption and Promoting Administrative Justice Energy Development and Industrial Transformation Equitable Distribution of Infrastructure, Development, and Wealth Effective Land, Natural Resources, and Environment Management Human Capital Development, Science, and Technology Civic, Social, and Political Engagement Youth and Women Empowerment Effective and Efficient Public Service and Tax Justice
Mtambo arriving for the press briefing
Giving a glimpse of what the future for the movement will be like. Mtambo said that CFT is prepared to work with all well meaning Malawians regardless of political affiliation, in formulating solutions to the current economic challenges. “As CFT, we shall not discriminate anyone wishing to work with us for the common good. We have all experienced hardships together. As CFT, we will soon be unveiling our new political strategies, all directed at transforming this country”
Mtambo press briefing has already shocked the nation as this is a shift in position by the movement that many assumed was a mouthpiece of the current regime.
Hip-hop artist Phyzix has officially announced that he will release a brand new song titled ‘Fragile’ on Tuesday, April 30,2024.
The new song which features Eli Njuchi and another trending star Emmie Deebo will first be premiered on Joy Nathu’s Made on Monday radio program on Monday, April 29.
Phyzix ready to drop new song
The track has been produced by Patrick Manyozo popularly known as TrickyBeatz while the video has been directed by Twice P.
Linda Ward Foundation has stressed the need for integration of sports with education if children are to develop to their full potential and be able to live health lives.
Founder of the Foundation Linda Ward made the remarks Saturday during a sports day which saw learners from ST Rosario, ST Hilary and Kamteteka primary schools compete in cross country running.
Linda Ward
Ward’s organization is spearheading development activities around Kamteteka where it has refurbished Kamteteka health post, built four houses at the facility among others.
She said the Foundation believes in improving sports at the grassroot level as one way of moulding new talent that can make it at the national level.
Primary Education Advisor for the educational Zone Bolex Shumba said sporting activities help in ensuring that children are coming to school and improves their class performance.
From childhood, we have been taught to engage in some form of physical activity, whether it be playing with our friends, running around, or joining a sports team. Both sports and education have a significant role in our lives, but beyond just the fun and games, sports and games have an important role to play in education. They teach students life skills like teamwork, leadership, accountability, and patience. They also help to build confidence, improve self-esteem, teach social skills, and provide a sense of belongingness.
Sports and games are a great way to keep children active and healthy without the need for them to miss out on their academic studies. Moreover, physical activity has been medically proven to increase cognitive and memory functions, which can help children perform better in school.
e a distraction from academics is undergoing a radical transformation. Solidifying the idea of an athletic subculture, the mid-1990s witnessed the emergence of a notable research initiative in California. Known as the “Promoting Achievement in School Through Sports” programme (PASS), it strategically integrated sports into the educational framework with the aim of elevating the standard of academic accomplishment. It came up with compelling data that confirmed the affirmative impact of school-based sports participation on the enhancement of scholastic performance, as reflected in grades.
Athletic training and academic study are interrelated. Both are two sides of one coin. Sports in education are an integral part of the curriculum. It helps to shape a person’s personality and contributes to their holistic development. In some ways, this subject is a demonstration of all the disciplines that one has learned in school. Every sport has its foundations in math and physics.
Although many subjects are taught in the classroom, sports and physical education offer students an opportunity to be outside and exercise, as well as learning a wide range of skills.
