CDF Brings Hope to Learners with Disabilities in Chinsali

CDF Brings Hope to Learners with Disabilities in Chinsali

Learners with disabilities in Chinsali district are now able to attend school through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Secondary Boarding School Bursary Programme.

The programme helps vulnerable, orphaned and disadvantaged children by paying for school fees and boarding costs. This support has allowed many learners who could not afford school to return to class.

At Chinsali Special School, the bursaries have reduced financial challenges for families. With fees and boarding covered, learners are now able to focus on their studies and future goals.

One of the beneficiaries is Grade 12 hearing-impaired learner, Tawanda Mwale from Ichinga ward. She has a strong interest in Food and Nutrition and hopes to become a Home Economics teacher.

Mwale said the bursary has helped her feel included and confident. She explained that she is learning both academic subjects and important life skills with the support of her teachers.

Another beneficiary is Grade 10 visually impaired learner, James Kangwa from Lubu ward. Before receiving the bursary, he often worried about school fees, which affected his concentration in class.

Kangwa now focuses on subjects such as Biology and History and hopes to become a lawyer to defend the rights of vulnerable people in his community.

Acting Mirriam Mvula said the bursary programme has helped reduce school dropouts among learners with disabilities. She explained that CDF support has also helped improve school facilities and learning materials.

She added that before the bursaries, many learners stayed at home due to lack of funds, exposing them to social risks such as early pregnancies and risky behaviour.

Currently, 41 learners benefit from the CDF bursary programme. These include 20 new learners for 2026 and 21 returning students. School attendance and academic performance have continued to improve because of the support.