GOVERNMENT owes Bulawayo City Council (BCC)-run schools over ZiG39 million in unpaid fees since 2022 under the Basic Education Assistance Module (Beam).
Under Beam, the government pays tuition fees for underprivileged students, including orphans.
According to the latest BCC Education Section monthly report for September 2025, director for Housing and Community Services, Dictor Khumalo, highlighted the issue of tuition fees.
“The total enrolment in all the 31 council schools stood at 41 599 learners. During the term a total of ZiG22 265 573 was paid for tuition and council levies while ZiG145 117 102 remained outstanding,” a latest council report read.
“Council has not received any Beam funds as yet for 2025 and since 2022.
“Meanwhile, ZiG39 976 280 was the outstanding balance for Beam allocations.
“Schools also charge school development committee (SDC) levies for developments and projects, complementing council efforts in the day-to-day administrative issues.”
The report revealed that ZiG52 401 874 was outstanding for SDC levies.
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“The department was very much concerned in terms of the huge school fees debtors’ figures by parents and guardians of learners in its schools,” the report read.
“The statutory provisions that learners should not be sent away for non-payment of fees was being manipulated by parents and guardians to the detriment of schools as payment plans were not being honoured by parents.
“It was requested that councillors at their meetings should implore residents to support school heads by paying their dues on or before schools open so that there is smooth flow of operations as well as completion of projects within set time-lines.”
The report further indicated that Mawaba Primary School received a 5kV solar system from the National Aids Council as second prize winners in National Quiz in 2024.
“The solar system, with six panels, has since been installed at the administration block,” the report read.
“The solar system is set to benefit staff and learners during teaching and learning activities.”
