There is widespread voice of appreciation across public universities in the nation subsequent to President Lazarus Chakwera’s decision to raise the upkeep allowance from K350,000 to K560,000. Mzuzu University students were notably quick to thank President Chakwera upon learning of the positive development.
In a similar vein, the leadership of the Students Representative Council (SRC) at the University of Malawi has also expressed appreciation for President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s directive to increase student allowances. In a statement signed by council President Elia Mwalwanda and forwarded to the Office of the President and Cabinet, the augmentation of allowances is anticipated to serve as a source of motivation for students, fostering academic excellence.
Elia further elaborated that this decision follows a meeting held on February 13, 2024, wherein SRC leadership from the six public universities engaged in a roundtable discussion with the Chancellor of the University of Malawi at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe. Among the topics deliberated, one of the focal points was the increase in upkeep allowance.
“l am so excited with the official information from the Higher Education Students Loans and Grants Board that w Follow us in Twitter government has increased the upkeep loan from 350.000.00 Kwacha per academic year to K560.000.00 per year representing a 60% increase,” reads the statement in part.
Mwalwanda said it was the same Dr. Chakwera who increased the same from 200,000.00 Kwacha to the current 350,000.00 Kwacha.
“To our beloved chancellor Dr. Laz. take it from me that University of Malawi Students are grateful. This gesture has demonstrated that you are not only a listening president, but also a caring father of our beloved nation Malawi and that you have at the back of your mind the welfare of students in public universities. We are looking forward to implementation of the other petition we made to increase the number of loan beneficiaries when it comes to tuition, ” he said.
On their part, MUBAS and MUST students leaders also have profusely thanked Chakwera for this gesture.
