Staff Reporter
Education stakeholders are calling on the Government to broaden the scope of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) to go beyond tuition fees and include critical learning resources like stationery, uniforms, and furniture.
The appeal comes amid Government efforts to ensure that BEAM beneficiaries—vulnerable learners from impoverished backgrounds—gain meaningful and holistic access to education.
BEAM, launched in 2001 as a safety net for underprivileged students, has grown considerably under the Second Republic, covering about one-third of the nation’s school population.
While the program primarily focuses on covering tuition fees for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, stakeholders believe there is a pressing need for a more inclusive approach.
Speaking on the issue in Bulawayo recently, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Dorothy Mashonganyika, highlighted significant gaps in BEAM’s coverage.
“It is essential that the program not only covers school fees but also provides essentials like uniforms, books, and furniture. This would truly enhance the learning experience for the children it aims to support,” Mashonganyika emphasized.
According to Mashonganyika, over a million children are currently on BEAM for 2024.
However, delays in funding disbursements have led to mounting arrears, with BEAM reportedly owing schools ZWL839.4 million and US$7.2 million to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) for examination fees.
However, Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, assured lawmakers that efforts were underway to address BEAM’s challenges.
“We are working to clear the arrears, especially those owed to special schools. Approximately 30 percent of Zimbabwe’s primary and secondary students are under BEAM,” Minister Ncube stated.
He also acknowledged the need to reassess and improve the program to ensure its intended objectives are met.
Meanwhile, to enhance transparency and ensure that BEAM funds are used as intended, the Government has implemented monitoring systems, including regular site visits and audits at beneficiary schools.
