Solwezi Municipal Council Town Clerk Stanley Mbewe has disclosed that about 1,500 learners are benefitting from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Secondary School bursaries in the district.

Mr Mbewe says learners being supported under the CDF bursaries are from various schools in the district.

He noted that the reintroduction of free education and CDF secondary school bursaries has created opportunities for children to have equitable access to education leaving no one behind.  

Mr Mbewe stated that the development has relieved parents and guardians from the struggles they were going through to raise school fees and other necessities for their children to go to school, especially those in boarding facilities.

He noted that the education sector remains one of the key priorities on the government’s developmental agenda.

Mr Mbewe reiterated President Hakainde Hichilemas’s position that education is the best equalizer and a foundation to economic growth and development.

‘‘The reintroduction of the secondary school bursaries by the government has helped learners in boarding schools to have an opportunity to continue their education without disruption. The government has prioritised education on its developmental agenda and continues to strive hard to ensure learners acquire quality education standards,’’ he said.

Mr Mbewe further said education is the backbone of economic transformation stating that free education policy will help to reduce poverty levels among vulnerable community members in the district.

He added that CDF bursaries have continued to positively impact the lives of many children as well as significantly helping reduce the prevalence of teenage pregnancies and early marriages among the girls in the district

Mr Mbewe explained that through the CDF initiative, various schools in the district have recorded an influx of learners seeking admission including learners that dropped out of school due to financial constraints.