The government in Zambia has extend the provision of higher education grants and loans to five public institutions in the country.

The five institutions to benefit from the services include; Palabana University, Chalimbana University, Mulungushi University, Mukuba University and Kwame Nkrumah University.

The Zambian Observer reports that the Ministry of Higher Education Public Relations Officer, Chiselwa Kawanda said that 1000 scholarships will be available to the above mentioned universities this year.

The scholarships will be given in a way that 30% of the 1000 are for females, 30% for applicants from rural areas and the remaining 40% for students on merit, according to Chiselwa Kawanda.

Patriotic Front Copperbelt Vice-chairman Christopher Kang’ombe said the decision by the government is aimed at bridging the gap between those who can afford to pay tuition for themselves and those born from poor families and cant’ afford tuition.

In the past, students from the Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia were the only ones eligible for loans.

  Copperbelt University and the University of Zambia, Government in Zambia, Loan scheme & grants, Patriotic Front Copperbelt Vice-chairman Christopher Kang’ombe, Zambia extends loan scheme to five Public Institutions