MINISTRY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION

State Funded Education Commencing January 2023

1.0 PREAMBLE
1.1 The Constitution of Zimbabwe (2013) Chapter 4, Section 75 states that every citizen
and permanent resident of Zimbabwe has a right to a basic state funded education,
including adult basic education. It further states that the state must take reasonable
legal and other measures, within limits of the resources available to progressively
realise the right to education.
1.2 The country’s primary and secondary education school system is regulated through the
Education Act (Chapter 25:04) of March 2020 which also states that the Government
should provide free basic education.
1.3 His Excellency the President has, in 2022, made a public declaration that the
Government will provide free basic education with effect from 2023, in line with the
constitutional dictates and the National Vision.

2.0 SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS

2.1 Schools in Zimbabwe

2.1.1 The current Primary and Secondary Education is that every child, from the age of four
(4) years, has equal access to education.
2.1.2 Currently Tthere are 10 147 schools (7 081 primary and 3 066 secondary) nationally.
2.1.3 5 329 primary schools are registered schools whereas 1 087 and 665 schools are
satellite and not registered respectively. These do not meet the minimum standards for
registration.
2.1.4 2 090 secondary schools are registered. 876 and 100 schools are satellite and
unregistered schools respectively with inadequate infrastructure for registration
requirements.
2.1.5 There are 4 642 023 pupils, of which 2 316 967 are males and 2 325 056 females,
enrolled in the 10 147 schools.

2.2 Classification of Schools

2.2.1 Rural and urban constitute the main domains in the country.
2.2.2 Primary schools in the urban and rural constitute 22.96% and 77.04% respectively.
2.2.3 Similarly, secondary schools in urban and rural are 24.17 percent and 75.83 percent,
respectively (see Figure 1).

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 Figure 1: Schools by Level of Education and Location, Percentage, Zimbabwe, 2021

Ur- Primary Secondary

ban Urban
22.96 24.17%
%

Rural
Rural 75.83%
77.04
%

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The 10 147 schools are in three (3) categories according to grant type classification as
determined by the per capita grant allocated to schools by the Government.
There are three categories based on grant type, namely;
i) P1 and S1 Schools: include schools in low density areas and some elite boarding
schools regardless of location. These schools receive the lowest per capitation
learner grant from the government;
ii) P2 and S2 Schools: these are schools in urban high-density areas, including
government schools, church-based boarding schools located in the rural areas;
and
iii) P3 and S3 Schools: These are rural schools and are allocated the highest
capitation learner grant by the Government.
2.2.6 P3 and S3 schools are 5 655 and 2 366 respectively and are the majority out of the 10
147 schools.
2.2.7 P2 and S2 schools are 989 and 466 respectively.
2.2.8 P1 and S1 schools are 437 and 234 respectively.
2.2.9 The percentage school’s classification is as shown in Figure 2 given below.
Figure 2: Schools by Level of Education and Per Capita Grant Classification, Zimbabwe, 2021

Primary Secondary
P1 P2 S2
13. S1 15.2
6.17% 7.63%
97 0%
%

P3 S3
79. 77.1
86 7%
%

2.3 Projected Enrolments for 2022 and 2023

2.3.1 It is noted that for the past three years, pupil enrolments have increased by 2% each
year across the board and the estimate enrolments are as in Table 1 shown below.
2.3.2 As such, total enrolments for primary schools are expected to increase from 3 524 391
in 2021 to 3 594 879 and 3 665 777 in 2022 and 2023 respectively.
2.3.3 Similarly, total enrolments in secondary schools are expected to increase from 1 087
632 in 2021 to 1 109 385 and 1 131 573 for 2022 and 2023 respectively.
2.3.4 These statistics are the basis for which the required funding will be considered.

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 Table 1 Showing Projected Enrolments
SCHOOL 2021 ENROLMENTS 2022 ENROLMENTS 2023 ENROLMENTS
TYPE (Increased by 2%) (Increased by 2%)

P3 2 669 453 2 722 842 2 777 299

P2 673 538 687 009 700 749

P1 181 400 185 028 188 729

TOTAL 3 524 391 3 594 879 3 665 777

SCHOOL 2021 ENROLMENTS 2022 ENROLMENTS 2023 ENROLMENTS

TYPE (Increased by 2%) (Increased by 2%)

S3 708 731 722 906 737 364

S2 260 192 265 396 270 704

S1 118 709 121 083 123 505

TOTAL 1 087 632 1 109 385 1 131 573

2.4 Current Funding for Education in schools

2.4.1 Capital Expenditure by Government
2.4.1.1 Government is currently funding the implementation of capital projects
under PSIP and recurrent to ensure efficiency in the primary and secondary education.
2.4.1.2 The projects are:
i) Construction of new schools;
ii) Construction of specialist rooms;
iii) Rehabilitation of infrastructure in existing schools;
iv) Provision of textbooks;
v) Provision of sanitary wear;
vi) Provision of home-grown school feeding;
vii) Provision of assistive devices;
viii) Provision of equipment including ICT materials;
ix) Provision of teachers and ancillary staff;
x) Provision of WASH facilities; and
xi) Provision of materials for emergencies; and
xii) Payment of ZIMSEC Examinations
Implementation of these national projects is prioritized by the Ministry of Primary and
Secondary and executed provinces and districts through decentralization.

Operations Expenditure by Government

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2.4.2.1 The Government has been funding basic education through the Basic Assistance
Education Module (BEAM) and the Grant in Aid of Tuition (GIAT) programmes.
2.4.2.2 The following cost areas are being funded to ensure free basic education to the
vulnerable pupils:
i) Teaching and learning materials (textbooks, stationery and consumables);
ii) Sporting facilities and equipment;
iii) Procurement of staff and pupils’ furniture:
iv) Travel and subsistence allowances for staff on official duty (e.g. when
attending professional workshops);
v) Physical Education and Cultural Activities (e.g sport equipment or cultural
dressing attire);
vi) Rehabilitation of school infrastructure, furniture and office equipment (e.g
renovations/repairs); and
Payment of utilities (e.g paying for electricity, water bills).

2.4.3 Parents’ Contribution to Education

Parents are currently taking the responsibility of the other necessities needed to support government
efforts and access to education. These are through levies that are agreed upon by the school and
parents through the School Development Committee. The following should therefore continue being
borne by parents:

i) Payment of SDC staff;

ii) Sponsoring sports and education tours;
iii) Support the home-grown school feeding
iv) Provision of uniforms for their children;
v) Levies for agreed school projects;
vi) Funding for sporting events;
vii) NSSA payments; and
viii)Subscriptions (NAPH, NASH, BSPZ).

3.0 PROPOSED FUNDING REQUIREMENTS FOR FREE BASIC EDUCATION

3.1 Capital Expenditure Funding for 2023

3.1.1 The Government should continue to fund capital projects through the ministry of
Primary and Secondary Education.
3.1.2 The ongoing projects to be funded are listed below:
i) Construction of new schools;
ii) Construction of specialist rooms;
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 iii) Rehabilitation of infrastructure in existing schools;
iv) Provision of textbooks;
v) Provision of sanitary wear;
vi) Provision of home-grown school feeding;
vii) Provision of assistive devices;
viii) Provision of equipment including ICT materials;
ix) Provision of teachers and ancillary staff;
x) Provision of WASH facilities;
xi) Provision of materials for emergencies; and
xii) Payment of ZIMSEC Examinations

3.2 Operations Expenditure for 2023

3.2.1 The criteria for disbursement of BEAM and GIAT funds is enough for the
provisions of all that is needed by a pupil per term. An evidence-based analysis
has deduced that each primary and secondary school pupil will need US$27.00
and US$40.00 per term respectively for schools to be able to run efficiently and
provide inclusive, equitable and quality education. The fees are deduced as
illustrated in Table 2.

# Cost Area per pupil per term Primary School Cost Secondary School
(US$) Cost (US$)

1 Teaching and learning materials (textbooks, stationery 14 28

and consumables)

2 Sporting facilities and equipment 2 3

3 Procurement of staff and pupils’ furniture 5 2

4 Travel and subsistence allowances for staff on official 1 1

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 duty (e.g. when attending professional workshops)

5 Physical Education and Cultural Activities (e.g sport 1 1

equipment or cultural dressing attire)

6 Rehabilitation of school infrastructure, furniture and 2 1

office equipment (e.g renovations/repairs)

7 Rehabilitation of school infrastructure, furniture and 2 4

office equipment (e.g. renovations/repairs).

Total fee per pupil per term 27 40

Table 2: Showing Cost for Free Education for a primary and secondary school

3.2.2 Nationally, government would need a total of US$99 002 979.00 per term for
primary school pupils as shown in Table 3.
Table 3 Showing Breakdown of Fees in Primary Schools
SCHOOLS TYPE COST/PUPIL/TERM 2023 TOTAL COST PER
(US$) ENROLMENTS TERM IN 2023
(Increased by (US$)
4%)

P3 27 2 777 299 74 987 073

P2 27 700 749 18 920 223

P1 27 188 729 5 095 683

TOTAL 3 665 777 99 002 979

3.2.3 Similarly, US$45 262 920.00 would be needed for secondary school pupils per
term as illustrated in Table 4.

Table 4 Showing Funding for Secondary Schools

SCHOOLS COST/PUPIL/TERM 2023 TOTAL COST PER
TYPE (US$) ENROLMENTS TERM (US$)

S3 40 737 364 29 494 560

S2 40 270 704 10 828 160

S1 40 123 505 4 940 200

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 TOTAL 1 131 573 45 262 920

3.2.4 The total demand for education in 2023 would be US$144 265 899.00 if every
pupil get free basic education.
3.2.5 To ensure that meaningful funds are disbursed to all schools, it is proposed that
where enrolments are below 400 pupils, Government should provide a fixed
amount of:
i) US$10 800.00 per term for primary school; and
ii) US$16 000.00 per term for secondary school

4.0 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR FREE BASIC EDUCATION

4.1 Government Obligation

4.1.1 It is proposed that the Government continues funding the implementation of capital
projects as prioritized by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. The funds
are still to be released into the system as per budget allocations.
4.1.2 For provision of free basic education, the phased approach is recommended as follows:

i) PHASE 1: Funding in 2023 for pupils in P3 schools

 All pupils in P3 primary schools will have their tuition fees paid by Government.
 Government will pay an equivalent of US$27.00 per pupil per term with effect from
January 2023.
 Government will pay a total of US$74 987 073.00 per term for the estimated
enrolment of 2 777 292 pupils.

ii) PHASE 2: Funding in 2024 for pupils in P3 and P2 schools

 Free education will continue for pupils in P3 primary schools who would have been
catered for in 2023.
 Pupils in P2 primary schools will be taken on board in 2024 and benefiting an
equivalent of US$27.00 per term.
 The amount of funds to be paid by Government will depend on enrolments 2024.

iii) PHASE 3: Funding in 2025 for pupils in all primary schools

 Government will continue paying for pupils in P3 and P2 schools in 2024.
 Pupils in P1 schools will be taken on board.

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  Funds will be made available to all primary school according to enrolments and each
pupil will benefit an amount equivalent to US$27.00.

5.0 CONCLUSION
5.1 As the Government moves to treat education as a right to its citizens, it cannot
may not be able to afford to make basic education free for everyone in the year
2023.
5.2 The total cost of education in 2023, taking every primary and secondary school
pupil would be US$99 002 979 and US$45 262 920 respectively.
5.3 Each pupil will be benefiting US$27.00 and US$40.00 per term for primary and
secondary respectively. This is too much for the Government, that’s the proposal
for a phased approach.
5.4 The phased approach would see the Government the Government availing
US$74 987 073.00 per term for the estimated enrolment of 2 777 292 pupils.
5.5 80% of the rural primary schools and communities would be covered and access
to inclusive, equitable and quality education would have reached underserved
and disadvantaged communities.