Over 1.2 million children in Zimbabwe are currently unable to access education due to financial constraints, with the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) program struggling to meet the demand, rural teachers’s association has revealed.
According to a report by UNICEF in 2020, the BEAM program is underfunded, resulting in many vulnerable children being left without the support to continue their education.
In their Policy Brief on State of Education in Zimbabwe (23 July 2024), the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) indicated that one of the key challenges identified is the higher rate of girls dropping out of schools at the secondary level compared to boys.
The brief highlighted girls’ dropout rate: “at 27% and 18% boys and 34% of girls are getting married before the age of 18(UNESCO 2019),” further exacerbating the barriers to education for girls.
Despite efforts to improve education in Zimbabwe, including policy reforms and alternative learning frameworks introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic,: “significant barriers still remain.”
To address the needs of vulnerable children, the government introduced the BEAM program as a means to enhance access to education.
The program is plagued by chronic underfunding and bureaucratic inefficiencies, limiting its reach and effectiveness.
Also, the: “Reports of corruption in the selection process cast a shadow over BEAM’s effectiveness, hindering its goal of supporting the most vulnerable children.”
One participant highlighted the challenges faced by learners on the BEAM program, stating that there are delays in the payment of fees, according to the brief.
To counter these delays: “some schools have introduced some 10 or 15$ levy for leaners on BEAM.
These learners are sent back home for the levy and the beneficiaries have a limited number of only six subjects to register for their exams.
“Despite these hurdles, BEAM has successfully reduced dropout rates among the poorest families, yet the quality of education remains a concern in schools heavily reliant on its funding,” reads the brief.
To improve the effectiveness of the BEAM program, increased and consistent funding is necessary, along with streamlined administrative processes.
“To improve, BEAM requires increased and consistent funding, streamlined administrative processes, enhanced community involvement, and robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure transparency and effectiveness in achieving its educational goals (Transparency International Zimbabwe, 2022; World Bank, 2023; UNICEF Zimbabwe, 2022).”
The brief also highlighted that another significant barrier affecting girls’ access to education in Zimbabwe is: “the high school fees and associated costs such as uniforms, textbooks, and transportation present significant financial barriers for many families.”
It also revealed that many families face financial constraints that force them to prioritize the education of boys over girls.
“Financial constraints also force some families to prioritize the education of boys over girls, perpetuating gender disparities in education,” reads the brief.
