Ministry of Education Seeks Direct Control of BEAM Funding to End Payment Delays

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is pushing for direct control of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) budget to resolve persistent payment delays that have disrupted learning and examinations. Currently, the Treasury releases BEAM funds to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, which then transfers the funds to the Education Ministry for disbursement to schools. This multi-step process has resulted in chronic delays, leaving schools unpaid and vulnerable learners at risk of exclusion.

The current system has led to significant delays in payment, with the government owing US$98 million to BEAM and US$50 million to the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) as of 2024. This has forced schools to operate without sufficient funds, affecting their ability to provide quality education. According to Taungana Ndoro's Director of Communications and Advocacy, "The bigger proposal... is why does the Treasury not remove that line item from the Ministry of Public Service and put it straight into the Ministry of Education? So if that happens, we're able to then disburse this quickly."  Follow us on our WhatsApp Channel

The Ministry of Education believes that direct control of the BEAM budget would enable it to disburse funds to schools more quickly and efficiently. A tripartite committee comprising deputy ministers from finance, public service, and education has been set up to address the immediate bottlenecks and explore the proposed solution. The committee's work is ongoing, with negotiations underway to find a long-term solution to the payment delays.

The Ministry of Education is also reviewing concerns around alleged favouritism and political interference in the selection of BEAM beneficiaries. Future beneficiaries will be prioritized based on vulnerability, with orphans and children from poor families given preference. "Those that are going to benefit from BEAM are mainly going to be orphans and vulnerable children. An orphan meaning you don't have both parents. Those are the ones who will be considered first," Ndoro said.

The Ministry of Education's proposal to take direct control of the BEAM budget is a step towards resolving the chronic payment delays that have plagued the programme. By streamlining the funding process and prioritizing vulnerable children, the Ministry aims to ensure that BEAM funds reach schools and learners in a timely manner, supporting their access to quality education.