It has come to the Ministry's notice that, there is still some confusion about the revised secondary school fees and the newly introduced Secondary School Bursary (SSB) scheme.

Therefore, the Ministry would like to give further information on the two issues:
 

REVISED SECONDARY SCHOOL FEES

With effect from 30th April, 2001 school fees in Government and Government-Aided Secondary Schools including Community Day Secondary Schools are as follows:

• Boarding fees K1,500.00 per term = K4,500.00 per year
• Tuition fees K500.00 per term = K1,500.00 per year
• Textbook Revolving Fund = K250.00 per year.

In addition to these fees, schools may charge a General Purpose Fund (GPF) and a School Development Fund (SDF). The level of the GPF should not exceed K50 per term. The level of the SDF will depend on the development project at the school and will be determined by the school committee or the PTA. In no circumstances should the level of the SDF be determined by the Head teacher unilaterally.
 

SECONDARY SCHOOL BURSARY SCHEME

The secondary school bursary scheme replaces the GABLE bursary scheme. Where as the GABLE bursary covered all girls, the secondary school bursary scheme is for needy pupils, both girls and boys. The SSB scheme is in pursuance of Government's desire to ensure that, no pupil selected to go to secondary school

fails to do so because he or she is needy. A needy pupil is any pupil who is genuinely not able to pay his or her school fees.

Ultimately the bursary may have to be processed at local assemblies. The Ministry will soon be liaising with the Ministry of Local Government on this issue. However, in the meantime, the bursary will be processed at the school using the following guidelines.
 

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING BEBENFICIARIES OF THE SSBS

Candidates for the bursary must:

• Be proven to be really needy. (These could include pupils who are orphans or have poor parents or guardians)
• Be proven to be eager to continue schooling
• Have a record of regular school attendance
• Have proven good behaviour
• Have positive attitude towards school
• Must not be a recipient of another bursary.

• Each school shall have a bursary committee that will consist of the headteacher, two other teachers and two members of the school committee or PTA. Where applicable the two teachers in the committee shall be the boarding master ind-boarft-artstress or matron
• The school bursary committee will identify needy students in the schooFusing the above criteria
• The identified pupils will be given application forms to fill
• The school shall produce four copies of a list of all candidates whose applications have been approved by the committee according to their classes. The original list and the completed application forms will be sent to the Ministry Headquarters. One copy of the list will be sent to the Education Division Office. Another copy will be sent to the DEO or LEA while the fourth copy will be kept by the school
• Upon receiving the list of recommended candidates, the Ministry Headquarters will disburse the bursaries. Money that is supposed to go to the Government, will be disbursed to the Treasury while. money that is supposed to go to the school, will be disbursed to the school
• The Ministry will send details of the disbursed funds to the schools through the Education Division Office
• The school bursary committee shall assist in the monitoring of the scheme performance and provide relevant feedback to Headquarters
• Initially the bursaries will be awarded in the ratio of 80/20 in favour of girls. This will be reviewed annually and will gradually shift towards 50/50 by 2004.

Application forms have been sent to all schools through the Education Division Offices. While their applications are being processed, the identified needy students should not be sent away for not having paid their fees.

Secretary for Education, Science and Technology
Private Bag 328
Lilongwe 3