Government Disburses K100 Million in CDF Bursaries

The Zambian government has released K100 million as the first allocation for bursaries under the 2026 Constituency Development Fund, reinforcing its commitment to expanding access to education for vulnerable learners nationwide.

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development confirmed that K641,025 has been deposited into each constituency's CDF account to support students at secondary schools, colleges and tertiary institutions.

Ministry spokesperson Liseli Kanyanga said the funds would first be directed toward settling outstanding and current bursary commitments for learners already enrolled, ensuring continuity in their education and preventing disruptions caused by unpaid fees.

Since the CDF bursary programme was reintroduced in 2022, the initiative has delivered significant results. A cumulative total of 131,640 secondary school learners have benefited from bursaries, while 198,559 individuals have been supported through skills development programmes — a demonstration of the government's sustained investment in education and human development.

To safeguard public resources and maintain accountability, the Ministry has implemented strict verification and control measures through Local Authorities. Before any payments are processed, Local Authorities are required to confirm beneficiary details directly with schools and institutions, verifying student existence, active enrolment and attendance. This verification is carried out on a continuous basis.

Kanyanga said the Ministry remains committed to the prudent management of CDF resources and to broadening educational opportunities for Zambian learners, with a particular focus on those from vulnerable households.