BPRA position on examination fees support scheme

Background

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Associations (BPRA) was pleased to learn that the government has set aside US$1 million to assist vulnerable children across the country with examination fees under the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM). According to the Director of Social Services in the Ministry of labour and Social Welfare, 15 000 vulnerable children from across the country will benefit from the scheme. For Advanced level students, the scheme will provide examination fees for up to three subjects, while for Ordinary level students, the scheme will provide examination fees for up to six subjects.

BPRA POSITION

While BPRA commends the setting aside of the money for examination fees support for vulnerable children, the association believes that more should be done to ensure accountability in the administration of the scheme. Firstly, there is need for transparency and accountability in terms of distribution of the funds to ensure that all provinces in the country benefit equally from the examination fees support. Secondly there is need for the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture to come up with checks and balances to ensure that there is no corruption in the administration of the money.

BPRA’s concerns stem after a similar scheme last year failed to adequately benefit vulnerable children in Bulawayo and other areas of Matabeleland, with hundreds failing to sit for examinations as a result. The association also has concerns with the failure of the authorities to adequately inform the public on how beneficiaries were picked.

In light of the above, BPRA proposes that:

·         The authorities come up with measures to ensure fairness in the distribution of the money.

·         The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture compile a list of all beneficiaries of the scheme that includes area of residence to be availed to the media, Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) and members of the public.

·         There be equitable allocation of the money to all the provinces in the country.

Over and above the examination fees support scheme, BPRA is concerned that examination fees in the country are exorbitant and beyond the reach of the majority of Zimbabweans, more than 80 percent of whom are unemployed while those that are employed are earning salaries below the poverty datum line. It is the contention of BPRA that examination fees, which are pegged at $11 for Ordinary Level students and $22 for Advanced Level students,  should be reduced as they are too high and depriving children of their right to education.  

BPRA also believes that the government should revamp the structure of BEAM to ensure that it benefits children who actually need assistance. There is also need for more transparency in the operations of BEAM.