Sunday News
By Nobuhle Nyoni
28 July 2013
GOVERNMENT has called for the overhaul of the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) as it has failed to reach out to all children who are in need of an education.
The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Senator David Coltart said there was in excess of 380 000 children still out of school as a result of financial constraints. Sen Coltart said although the programme had been successful over the years there was a need to turn it around.
“The programme has been successful over the years, however, there is a need to review it as it has some loopholes. At the moment hundreds of thousands of children are out of school and by reviewing BEAM it will mean that every child would be catered for,†he said.
There was need to have a provision within the constitution that championed the right to education of all children.
Sen Coltart added that the programme was inadequately funded as a result of the economic challenges that the country was experiencing.
“Over $50 million is needed in order for all children of school going age to have access to education. At the moment the programme is under funded,†he said.
Sen Coltart said Beam had assisted over a million children since its introduction in 2001.
Beam has assisted over a million children in paying tuition fees and examination fees since its relaunch in 2010.