News / National
Ministry of Education fails to pay rent for 16 years
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Zimbabwe's education system is rapidly collapsing, driven by a combination of chronic underfunding, rampant corruption, indiscipline, and government failure to disburse allocated budgets. Despite promises of free education made by President Emmerson Mnangagwa upon assuming power in 2017, the reality on the ground is starkly different, with non-governmental bodies like Better Schools Programme Zimbabwe (BSPZ) now footing the bills for basic administration in many districts and provinces.
The Mirror has uncovered that BSPZ has been covering the operational costs of all district and provincial education offices for years, as government funding has failed to materialize. In Masvingo, the Provincial Education Director and staff face eviction from the offices at Wigley House after the government neglected to pay rent amounting to US$5 million to the Mining Industry Pension Fund (MIPF). This rental debt dates back 16 years, to 2009, despite the education ministry receiving the largest government allocation in 2025 — US$1.7 billion.
A court eviction order granted in 2022 by Justice David Mangota remains poised for enforcement. While the Ministry of Education negotiated a payment plan last year to delay eviction, no payments have been made to date. Attempts to obtain comments from Education Permanent Secretary Moses Mhike and Minister of Education Torerai Moyo were unsuccessful, as both have not responded to calls. The ministry's spokesperson, however, defended BSPZ's role, describing it as "critical for community-driven development" and stated that all funds are being used for the benefit of children. The spokesperson also highlighted a recent purchase of 22 vehicles intended for district use, noting Zimbabwe has 57 districts.
The MIPF spokesperson, Moses Chireedzere, confirmed ongoing negotiations but requested that further reporting be put on hold, citing concerns about the prejudice suffered by pension fund members due to unpaid rents.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti criticised the Ministry of Education for its fiscal mismanagement, pointing to a chronic gap between parliamentary budget approvals and actual government disbursements. He explained that funds trickle in irregularly and often are not released by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube. Biti also highlighted audit reports exposing corruption and abuse of funds within both the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
"The public utility services, especially education and health, have collapsed. These systems are now in intensive care. The state is outsourcing its obligations to underpaid citizens and unemployed parents who bear the burden," Biti said bluntly. "Zanu-PF has failed, and must go. The chaos in education and health is undeniable proof."
Sources within the ministry revealed that government funding for operations is so depleted that BSPZ has effectively replaced the state in running administrative costs at district and provincial offices. BSPZ, which relies on levies from parents — US$2 per child per term — was originally intended to support tuition and learning activities, not administrative expenses.
The non-payment crisis extends to the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), which has not received funds since 2022, despite official statements claiming otherwise. Hundreds of children from disadvantaged backgrounds are dropping out of school, casting doubt on the government's promise of free education.
BSPZ has even constructed offices now occupied by district offices and finances vehicles, fuel, water bills, workshops, and allowances for school heads, teachers, and provincial officers. Government funds no longer cover these costs, and districts have ceased submitting allowance claims due to persistent non-payment.
A concerned parent and retired education officer, who requested anonymity, criticised the exploitation of BSPZ funds, saying the programme benefits senior officials through hefty allowances rather than the children it was meant to support. "BSPZ should focus on tuition, mid-career training for teachers, and improving classroom learning. Instead, it has become a cash cow for officials traveling and holding meetings," he said.
The ongoing failure to disburse government funds, coupled with corruption and mismanagement, continues to cripple the education sector. Public Service Minister July Moyo claimed in 2024 that schools received ZWL$16 billion under BEAM, but the last actual payments were made in early 2022.
Opposition activist and parent John Mupanduki condemned the situation, calling for an immediate halt to parental contributions to BSPZ. "It is shocking that parents are financing everything — from offices, vehicles, stationery, to fuel and cleaning supplies — while the ministry, which receives the largest budget, cannot account for these millions," he said.
As Zimbabwe's education system edges closer to collapse, urgent reforms and transparent management of resources are crucial to prevent further deterioration. Without decisive action, the promise of free and quality education remains a distant dream for millions of Zimbabwean children.
The Mirror has uncovered that BSPZ has been covering the operational costs of all district and provincial education offices for years, as government funding has failed to materialize. In Masvingo, the Provincial Education Director and staff face eviction from the offices at Wigley House after the government neglected to pay rent amounting to US$5 million to the Mining Industry Pension Fund (MIPF). This rental debt dates back 16 years, to 2009, despite the education ministry receiving the largest government allocation in 2025 — US$1.7 billion.
A court eviction order granted in 2022 by Justice David Mangota remains poised for enforcement. While the Ministry of Education negotiated a payment plan last year to delay eviction, no payments have been made to date. Attempts to obtain comments from Education Permanent Secretary Moses Mhike and Minister of Education Torerai Moyo were unsuccessful, as both have not responded to calls. The ministry's spokesperson, however, defended BSPZ's role, describing it as "critical for community-driven development" and stated that all funds are being used for the benefit of children. The spokesperson also highlighted a recent purchase of 22 vehicles intended for district use, noting Zimbabwe has 57 districts.
The MIPF spokesperson, Moses Chireedzere, confirmed ongoing negotiations but requested that further reporting be put on hold, citing concerns about the prejudice suffered by pension fund members due to unpaid rents.
Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti criticised the Ministry of Education for its fiscal mismanagement, pointing to a chronic gap between parliamentary budget approvals and actual government disbursements. He explained that funds trickle in irregularly and often are not released by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube. Biti also highlighted audit reports exposing corruption and abuse of funds within both the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
"The public utility services, especially education and health, have collapsed. These systems are now in intensive care. The state is outsourcing its obligations to underpaid citizens and unemployed parents who bear the burden," Biti said bluntly. "Zanu-PF has failed, and must go. The chaos in education and health is undeniable proof."
Sources within the ministry revealed that government funding for operations is so depleted that BSPZ has effectively replaced the state in running administrative costs at district and provincial offices. BSPZ, which relies on levies from parents — US$2 per child per term — was originally intended to support tuition and learning activities, not administrative expenses.
The non-payment crisis extends to the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), which has not received funds since 2022, despite official statements claiming otherwise. Hundreds of children from disadvantaged backgrounds are dropping out of school, casting doubt on the government's promise of free education.
BSPZ has even constructed offices now occupied by district offices and finances vehicles, fuel, water bills, workshops, and allowances for school heads, teachers, and provincial officers. Government funds no longer cover these costs, and districts have ceased submitting allowance claims due to persistent non-payment.
A concerned parent and retired education officer, who requested anonymity, criticised the exploitation of BSPZ funds, saying the programme benefits senior officials through hefty allowances rather than the children it was meant to support. "BSPZ should focus on tuition, mid-career training for teachers, and improving classroom learning. Instead, it has become a cash cow for officials traveling and holding meetings," he said.
The ongoing failure to disburse government funds, coupled with corruption and mismanagement, continues to cripple the education sector. Public Service Minister July Moyo claimed in 2024 that schools received ZWL$16 billion under BEAM, but the last actual payments were made in early 2022.
Opposition activist and parent John Mupanduki condemned the situation, calling for an immediate halt to parental contributions to BSPZ. "It is shocking that parents are financing everything — from offices, vehicles, stationery, to fuel and cleaning supplies — while the ministry, which receives the largest budget, cannot account for these millions," he said.
As Zimbabwe's education system edges closer to collapse, urgent reforms and transparent management of resources are crucial to prevent further deterioration. Without decisive action, the promise of free and quality education remains a distant dream for millions of Zimbabwean children.
Source - Mirror
