The transformative impact of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursary programme continues to resonate across the country, with 91,876 Zambians benefiting from Government funded secondary school and skills training support as of September 2025.
This was revealed today at the graduation ceremony of Wansanje Travel & Tourism Institute, where Permanent Secretary β Technical Services, Mr. Nicholas Phiri, delivered a keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Gift Sialubalo, MP.
Addressing graduates, parents, faculty, and invited guests, Mr. Phiri said the Government has to date invested ZMW 960,392,451 in the CDF bursary programme, an investment he described as central to the countryβs human capital development agenda. He noted that this unprecedented allocation demonstrates Governmentβs commitment to expanding educational opportunities and ensuring that no learner is left behind due to financial constraints.
According to the Ministry, the bursary support has so far reached:
β’ 47,972 Secondary Boarding School learners, and
β’ 43,904 Skills Development trainees enrolled in various trades and professional programmes across the country.
Mr. Phiri highlighted that these figures illustrate the tangible outcomes of decentralised development, where resources placed directly in constituencies are enabling young people to access training that equips them with relevant, market-ready skills. He added that Government remains determined to strengthen partnerships with credible training institutions capable of producing graduates ready to contribute to national development.
While delivering the Ministerβs message, Mr. Phiri also took the opportunity to strongly caution training institutions against taking advantage of the bursary initiative by inflating school tuition fees. He stressed that such practices undermine the integrity and core purpose of the programme.
βThis bursary programme was created to open doors for learners, not to enrich institutions through unjustified fee increases,β he said.
He urged institutions to uphold professionalism, transparency, and ethical pricing to ensure that Governmentβs investment genuinely benefits learners and communities.
Mr. Phiri emphasised that the Ministryβs priority is to ensure that institutions focus on producing quality, industry ready graduates who are equipped to participate meaningfully in the labour market and entrepreneurial space. He called on institutions to strengthen training standards, improve curriculum delivery, and prepare learners to thrive in Zambiaβs evolving economic landscape.
In commending training institutions, including Wansanje Travel & Tourism Institute, Mr. Phiri applauded the graduation of 125 CDF sponsored students at todayβs ceremony, describing it as a clear demonstration of how the programme is transforming lives at community level. He encouraged the graduates to uphold professionalism, discipline and innovation as they transition into the world of work.
