US$4,7m spent, 1,558 schools still unbuilt

Zimbabwe spent approximately US$4,7 million on school construction between 2018 and 2023, but delivered only 242 schools out of a target of 1,800, a 2025 Auditor-General's Value for Money audit has revealed.

The report, covering the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, found that 1,558 planned schools remain unbuilt despite near-full utilisation of public funds.

Acting Auditor-General Rheah Kujinga said delays, stalled projects, and poor execution directly contributed to overcrowding in classrooms. "Some classrooms accommodate over 90 pupils, forcing three-session days and outdoor learning," she noted.

Provincial performance was weak. Harare completed 17 schools out of 180 planned, while Bulawayo managed just 10. Nationally, only 13% of the construction target was achieved. Some projects stalled for four to six years, with materials procured years before use.

The audit flagged governance weaknesses, including poor contractor supervision and the non-functionality of the national project management committee. In some cases, substandard buildings were condemned after completion.

The ministry acknowledged the infrastructure shortage, attributing delays to funding constraints, inflation, and multi-stakeholder involvement. Satellite schools were cited as a stopgap to ensure access to education, though over 9,000 such schools now operate nationwide.

Kujinga urged the ministry to align construction plans with available resources and complete ongoing projects before launching new ones, warning that the current approach raises serious questions about value for money, execution capacity, and accountability.