The support package included school bags, pocket money, notebooks, sugar, soap and other essential items.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Chitonya said he provided the assistance because many parents face serious financial difficulties when sending their children to secondary school.
He stressed that no child should be denied access to education due to school fees or other requirements, adding that the government has established bursary schemes to support learners from financially constrained backgrounds.
Emmanuel Mwalilino, a senior official from the Karonga District Education Office, described the support as highly needed. He said it will also motivate other primary school learners to work hard and perform well in their studies.
One of the parents, Shaurayi Kaumba, whose child was selected to St. Mary’s Girls Secondary School, said the assistance had come at the right time as schools are about to open.
She expressed deep gratitude to Chitonya, noting that such support is rarely seen from other leaders.
By Austin Sute Kayisi