Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola-Banda has announced that the upkeep allowance for students in public institutions of higher learning has been adjusted to K560 000 per annum, representing a 60 per cent increase from the current K350 000. 

Chithyola-Banda made the announcement this afternoon during his response to concerns raised by opposition parties and the parliamentary cluster committees.

The remarks come after Zomba Central member of Parliament McNice Abu Naliwa urged the government to reform the student loan system to make it more inclusive and accessible to underprivileged students.