By Staff Reporter
THE Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) says the government has not remitted Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) for seven school terms prompting several school heads to shun submitting names of the program’s prospective beneficiaries.
Beam is a government programme introduced in 2001 to pay tuition, examination fees and levies for underprivileged learners.
ARTUZ spokesperson Thembakuye Moyo said the challenges being faced in Beam funding called for a review of the programme.
“Unfortunately, the Zimbabwean government has negated the Constitution and employed a looting mechanism coined as Basic Education Assistance Module,” Moyo said.
“It must be emphasised that Beam has and shall continue to fail to assist learners.Beam disbursement is currently seven terms in the negative.Beam beneficiaries owe since the third term in 2022.It is also worrisome that Beam is associated with inadequacies at application.
“Most schools in rural areas struggle to submit on time.Communication from district offices to schools is compromised by connectivity. Network is not available when needed most,” he said.
Moyo said the fund was being affected by financial incapacities, which are playing a pivotal role in late submissions.
“Artuz calls for the withdrawal of Beam forthwith and introduce per capita grant per learner. Artuz also demands the creation of Education Equalisation Fund that will bridge the gap from elite and remote schools,” he said.
