The government has announced that ZWL$16 billion has been disbursed to schools under the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), with all outstanding arrears for 2022 now settled.
During an address to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour, and Social Welfare in Harare last week, Public Service Minister July Moyo confirmed the payments:
“It is important to highlight that the arrears from 2022 have been fully cleared. Primary schools received their payments for the first term on November 2, 2022, while payments for the second and third terms were made on December 2, 2022.”
Moyo detailed that ZWL$11.5 billion was allocated to cover the fees of 675,177 primary school students, while ZWL$6.9 billion was paid for 233,991 secondary school students.
ALSO READ : Watch: Tafadzwa Chidawa Exposes Bogus Traditional Healers
The funds covered all three terms of 2022 for schools that submitted the necessary documentation. As of December 2022, no arrears remained for those institutions.
However, Moyo acknowledged ongoing delays in clearing BEAM arrears for 2023 and 2024, citing financial constraints but reiterating the government’s commitment to the program.
He also disclosed that the government’s debt to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) for BEAM beneficiaries has reached US$6.4 million.
ZIMSEC has reportedly threatened to prevent BEAM-supported students from sitting their exams this year unless the debt is settled.
BEAM is a government initiative aimed at ensuring vulnerable children, particularly orphans and those from low-income families, have access to education.
The program helps cover school fees, uniforms, and other necessary expenses for these students.
ALSO READ : Shaji Ul Mulk’s Strategic Role in UAE-China Business Deal Echoes Zimbabwe Cyber City Success
