Bursaries That Don’t Add Up: A Plea for Equitable Education in Zambia

Aknowledging progress: Kudos

Let’s start on a positive note because, after all, it’s only fair to recognize good work. The current administration has been making strides in ensuring quality education and improved access. Infrastructure development, teacher deployment, and the recent restructuring of the education system have not gone unnoticed. These are game-changing moves, and for that, we say, “Thank you!”

And let’s not forget the boarding fee bursaries for secondary school learners—another feather in the government’s cap. Thousands of geographically disadvantaged learners now have a shot at education that seemed beyond their reach. The bursary, equivalent to K3,000 (about $100), is a lifeline, or at least, it was supposed to be.

The K3,000 Question: Is It Enough?

Here’s where things get murky. While the intention is noble, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. Many rural learners, especially girls, receive this bursary with hope in their hearts and dreams in their eyes. But then, reality hits like a freight train.

The cost of preparing for boarding school in the first year alone is up to three times more than the bursary amount. Yes, you read that right—three times! From uniforms to bedding, toiletries, and transport, the list is endless. What good is a bursary that leaves parents staring at bills they could never hope to pay?

The Parental Responsibility Excuse

Now, I’ve heard the murmurs: “The government can’t do everything. What are parents for, anyway?” This sentiment, while popular, is both unkind and unrealistic. Many of these parents struggle to put food on the table, let alone cover the additional costs of their children’s education.

While I understand that development cannot rely solely on aid, there’s a glaring contradiction here. If the government is offering support, shouldn’t it actually address the problem it seeks to solve? Giving a child partial aid that doesn’t meet even the bare minimum feels like dangling hope just out of reach.

CDF: A Blessing or a Numbers Game?

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursaries are a wonderful initiative, but their execution raises questions. With limited funds stretched across countless beneficiaries, the end result is a little for everyone, and not enough for anyone. If this is about bridging inequality, shouldn’t we focus on making a real difference for a few rather than spreading resources so thin that they’re ineffective?

I understand that politics loves big numbers—“We’ve supported 10,000 students!” sounds far more impressive than “We’ve supported 1,000 students well.” But at what cost?

Recommendations: A Call for Real Solutions

To truly address these issues, I urge the following:

• Stricter Selection Criteria: Let’s ensure that only the truly vulnerable benefit. It’s tough but necessary.

• Increase the Bursary Amount: Match the bursary to actual costs. It’s not charity; it’s an investment in the nation’s future.

• Community Empowerment: Strengthen local economies so that parents can contribute meaningfully to their children’s education.

The Way Forward: A Hope for Tomorrow

Education is the key to bridging inequality and driving national development. The children in rural marginalized communities deserve better than half-baked solutions. Let’s give them a real shot at a brighter tomorrow, not just the illusion of one.

Mr. President, Ministers, and all relevant stakeholders, we ask you to rethink, reimagine, and reform how education is supported in Zambia. The children are watching, and history will judge. Will we rise to the occasion or leave them stranded at the gates of opportunity?

Sincerely,

A Concerned Citizen

#ZambiaUnfiltered