A GOVERNMENT programme to cushion underprivileged learners by paying tuition and examination fees is being abused in schools, with inconsistencies in disbursement creating fertile ground for corrupt practices, a recent Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) report shows.
Government launched the Basic Education Assistance Module (Beam) programme in 2001 to cater for the underprivileged. Through Beam, the government pays school fees for at least 1,8 million learners out of an estimated six million learners.
A report prepared by TIZ shows that some school heads are reportedly ordering parents of students, who are Beam beneficiaries, to pay school fees while awaiting government disbursement, promising refunds that never materialise.
A TIZ report titled, Access Denied: Corruption and Inequality in Zimbabwe’s Service Delivery, released recently said some parents accused school heads of misappropriating prepaid school fees for children under Beam.
Some school authorities have, over the years, decried late disbursement of funds by government, which sometimes drags on for two years.
“Since its inception, Beam has been beset with challenges linked to the unpredictable state of the Zimbabwean economy — challenges that continue to the present day,” the report said.
“Several parents, who participated in focus group discussions explained that the disbursement of funds from government to schools is inconsistent, leading to short-term funding gaps. When this happens, some school officials ask parents to make a prepayment to enrol their children, with the expectation that they will be reimbursed once the school receives its allocation.
“While the Beam Operational Manual makes it clear that such payments are not permitted, a lack of clarity or written information on the process means that some parents feel obliged to pay. This situation engenders significant corruption risks.”
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The report said there was corruption during the selection process, leading to undeserving learners benefiting from the programme.
“Several parents believed that community selection committee members exploit their positions in the selection process and that ineligible children are put on Beam at the expense of deserving applicants due to bribery, favouritism and nepotism,” the report said.
“Some said they knew of cases in which children and relatives of civil servants and other officials were placed on Beam despite not qualifying for assistance.
“While a proportion of Beam funds is supposed to be allocated towards children with disabilities, these funds tend to be distributed to ‘special’ schools, rather than mainstream learning institutions.”
TIZ executive director, Tafadzwa Chikumbu, commended the government for various strategies intended to improve education quality, but cited corruption as a significant impediment.
“Zimbabwe has made several well-meaning commitments to ensure the delivery of quality education and health services, by promulgating national strategies to deliver on key targets to ensure that no one is left behind in their delivery, in line with the over-arching objective of the Sustainable Development Goals.
“However, TIZ is convinced that corruption is the most significant barrier for disadvantaged groups to the attainment of these commitments, given that the impacts of corruption are felt more significantly by vulnerable and marginalised groups.”
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro confirmed the reports on some school heads allegedly demanding payments from parents or guardians of Beam beneficiaries.
“We wish to state unequivocally that it is illegal to charge fees to learners covered under the Beam programme, and any such demands contravene government policy and the law,” he said.
Ndoro said the Beam programme was designed to ensure that vulnerable children access education without financial barriers.
“School heads or authorities found compelling parents to pay fees — either through coercion, false promises of reimbursement, or threats of exclusion — are acting unlawfully. Consequences for such violations may include disciplinary action, suspension, or legal prosecution, as outlined in the Education Act and Beam operational guidelines,” he said.
Ndoro said the ministry had directed provincial and district education offices to investigate all reported cases and school heads found culpable “will face strict disciplinary measures, including potential dismissal and will be required to reimburse affected families immediately”.
He said no child under Beam might be excluded from school or penalised due to delayed government disbursement. Schools are instructed to adhere to the “no fees” policy for Beam beneficiaries unconditionally.
Ndoro said while the delays in Beam funding are regrettable and often due to fiscal constraints, the “Ministry is working closely with Treasury to expedite payments”. Delays do not justify illegal charges, he said.
