Schools in distress as BEAM funding falls to 1.5% and arrears mount
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Parliamentary Watch
HARARE — Rural and underprivileged schools across Zimbabwe are facing severe operational bottlenecks as the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) remains crippled by multi-year arrears dating back to 2021, with only 1.5% of the approved 2026 allocation disbursed by mid-year.
Debating the social protection budget in the National Assembly, Hon. Chiduwa highlighted that school operations have been undermined because institutions have enrolled thousands of vulnerable children without receiving the matching tuition and levy payments from Treasury.
“The provision of education services remains partially vulnerable in rural areas where schools are owed substantial funds under BEAM dating back to 2021,” Hon. Chiduwa told Parliament.
The minimal release of funds has left headmasters unable to procure basic stationery, maintain school infrastructure, or purchase learning materials for pupils.
Finance Minister Prof. Mthuli Ncube conceded that performance on social protection allocations has lagged, admitting that the government needs to “do more” to accelerate disbursements to vulnerable learners and clear outstanding commitments.
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