Stephen Chadenga
Mkoba South legislator John Kuka has raised concern on the continued delay in disbursement of education assistance Beam funds meant for less privileged children in schools in his constituency.
Speaking in Parliament Kuka asked Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare minister Edgar Moyo when six primary and four secondary schools in Mkoba South constituency are scheduled to receive Beam funds.
“When are the following schools in Mkoba South constituency scheduled to receive the allocated Beam funding,”quizzed Kuka.
“The affected schools are namely Budiriro, Bumburwi, St Michaels, Sandara, Muwunga and St Paul’s primary schools. Mkoba 3, Mambo, Ascot High and Matinunura schools.”
In response Moyo said the Beam operational manual 2016 stated that Beam funds should be paid at the end of each term but that the Finance ministry was not timeously releasing funds.
“This termly disbursement has however been affected by delayed disbursements from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion,”Moyo said.
“This has led to the accrual of arrears from 2023 and 2024 for the secondary and primary schools you (Kuka) referenced respectively.
“Our ministry has engaged with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion to release the necessary funds. This year a total of ZiG40 million was released for the programme and this was used to clear arrears of 2024 terms.”
Kuka also raised concern that schools for children with disabilities such as Jairos Jiri, St Jiles, Sibantubanye and M Hugo school for the blind were also effected by the delay in Beam disbursements.
Moyo said treasury had shown commitment to release more funds to clear areas for mainstream schools as well as cater for schools with special needs. He however said his ministry treated all schools with Beam beneficiaries equally and prioritised payment to these schools.
Kuka however said government should tighten it’s policies and ensure smooth coordination of line ministries to avoid deteriorating conditions in schools while waiting for treasury disbursements.