Shocker: Rich, undeserving pupils benefiting from BEAM
HARARE – The Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), meant to benefit vulnerable pupils in communities, is being manipulated by government officials to benefit those with the capacity at the expense of the poor, it has emerged.
Consequently, the government is now calling for an audit to establish and expose those involved.
Speaking during the debate on the Finance Bill on the proposed 2026 National Budget, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said Cabinet has taken a position on the matter and that an audit will soon be undertaken.
“Now, turning to BEAM arrears and so forth, colleagues, in Bulawayo, when we debated this issue, I explained that the Government has taken a position through Cabinet that an audit should be undertaken, and because other concerns have come up, to say that a good part of these beneficiaries from BEAM are not deserving cases,” Professor Ncube said.
“What we are finding is that the system for identification of the vulnerable is being manipulated by those with influence and leverage in various areas. This needs to be audited so that we get to know who is really vulnerable,” he added.
“It looks like those who are in need are not benefiting. That is the information we have. Therefore, we do not want to rush in without doing this audit work.”
There have been concerns over government failure to disburse BEAM funds to schools, with the Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, chaired by Nyanga South MP Supa Mandiwanzira, saying failure to act on this was affecting schools’ operations.
“I am standing to support the proposal that has been made by my colleague Honourable Member that the line item about the Basic Education Assistance Module, in fact, be redirected to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. Not only does it reduce transaction costs, but in the last three years, there have not been any disbursements to the schools on these Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) allocations. It would also ensure that there are actual disbursements going to schools for this purpose,” Mandiwanzira said.
Zaka South MP Clemence Chiduwa also weighed in, saying that although the allocation was noble, there is concern over the disbursement.
“The allocation is showing an increase from ZWG2.4 billion to ZWG5.58 billion for the year 2026. This is an increase of more than 100%. However, what is critical is not just the allocation but the releases. The issue that we are having with the schools is that most schools are now going down because the majority of our students are under BEAM. I would want to urge the Hon. Minister to synchronise allocation and releases. The ZWG5.58 billion allocated is quite commendable,” Chiduwa said.
“Moreover, there is the issue of the BEAM Information Management System. You mentioned that there are quite several ghosts or undeserving pupils who are benefiting from BEAM. I think this is again a commendable move which should be deployed as soon as we start 2026.”
Opposition MP Gladys Hlatywayo said there is a need to allocate BEAM funds through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education instead of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
“This is because I think that allocating it to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare would increase the transaction cost. So, we can reduce the transaction cost by just directing it to the Ministry that is dealing with the particular issue and, in particular, the Ministry of Education,” she said.
