The Parliamentary Committee on Education says that it is aware of the financial challenges that higher education students face during their studies.

Speaking at the orientation session for the first-year students at the Malawi University of Business Applied Sciences (MUBAS) in Blantyre, the Chairperson of the committee Honorable Brainax Kaise said that the committee wanted to hear first-hand information from the students through interacting with them during the orientation meeting.

He stressed that although it is not easy to lobby for financial increases for needy students, his committee is committed to seeing continued improvements in the financial status of students in universities.

“Your committee will not relent from lobbying for increases in financing for needy students in higher education. Let me also clarify that it is not easy to lobby for an increase in financing. But as a committee we will do everything in our power to ensure that students’ welfare is well taken care of,” He said.

He further encouraged the students currently receiving student loans to work hard in their studies and ensure that they pay back the loans after completing their studies to allow other needy students a chance to access higher education.

Speaking at the same function, MUBAS Director of Students Affairs, Dr Getrude Sitolo said that the institution is protective of government funds, which includes students’ funds’ and that they will ensure their fiduciary duty in the management of funds.

Similar orientation meetings were held at the Malawi University of Sciences, Technology, and SHAREworld Open University. The orientations focused on a student financing System Management that the Higher Education Students’ Loans and Grants Board wants all students to use when applying for loans.