Harare- The government’s Basic Education Assistance Model (BEAM) has accumulated US$98 million in unpaid fees, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube disclosed while presenting the 2026 National Budget. The programme, which covers school fees for orphans, child‑headed households and children from low‑income families, has seen its arrears balloon over several years because of insufficient fund releases.
Schools report that BEAM payments often arrive months after the academic term begins, forcing them to chase fees from already‑strapped families and disrupting operations. The minister announced a five‑year plan to clear the backlog, a move that could strain rural schools where BEAM uptake is highest.
In the budget, education received the largest allocation, with ZiG 47.4 billion (about US$1.55 billion) earmarked for salaries, new classrooms and equipment. However, the ministry also revealed other outstanding obligations: US$23.48 million owed to the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and US$28.50 million to the Premier Service Medical Aid Society (PSMAS), which covers civil servants and some private‑sector workers.
The government’s proposed repayment schedule will be closely watched, as timely clearance of BEAM arrears is seen as crucial to keeping vulnerable children in school and preventing further disruption to the education system.