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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
THE Education Sector yesterday received the highest allocation of $1,5 billion in the 2019 National Budget with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education receiving the lion’s share of $1,132 billion.
Presenting the National Budget statement in Parliament, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said the allocation is in line with the Education Sector Strategy Plan (2016-2020).
“The Education Sector Strategy Plan (2016-2020), which is in support of SDGs Goal 4 and the aspirations of the Paris Declaration on Education, which targets allocation of 20 percent of the National Budget, inform the 2019 Budget proposed allocation of $1,51 billion,” he said.
The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development was allocated $380,8 million and the bulk of the funding will be directed towards supporting disadvantaged students who are unable to access funding under the student loan facility (Edu-Loan) as well as equipping laboratories at teachers’ colleges and infrastructural development at the State universities.
“The priority areas under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development include provision for the construction of student accommodation and faculty blocks at Marondera, Manicaland and Gwanda State Universities, embracing joint venture initiatives for provision of decent accommodation at other institutions of higher learning,” said Prof Ncube.
He said the money would also go towards provision of cadetship programme arrears and supporting research and development.
“Government will support the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in raising additional sources from third parties for infrastructure development,” said Prof Ncube.
He allocated $694,5 million to the Ministry of Health and Child Care saying funds were allocated to focus on ensuring that the referral system is re-established as a way of reducing bottlenecks being experienced at tertiary and central hospitals.
“Support to the health sector will be complemented by other interventions Government is making in roads, water and sanitation provision and food security among others, which have a bearing on the health status of citizens,” Prof Ncube said.
“With regards to health care, the goal is to ensure that the four levels – primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary care are supported with respect to infrastructure, equipment and health supplies.”
The Minister said it was Government’s desire to see the development of a medical tourism industry in the country.
The Ministries of Public Service, Labour and Social Services was allocated $65,2 million while the Mines and Mining Development Ministry was allocated $15,4 million.
Prof Ncube said the Government was mobilising $399 million for the transport sector with the bigger chunk of the budget going towards road network rehabilitation works in 2019.
He allocated $214,5 million towards water and sanitation, saying the existing and emerging infrastructure gaps have put the lives of the public at risk.
“Government will employ a deliberate thrust to leverage and crowd in private sector participation in the financing and implementation of the projects,” said Prof Ncube.
He allocated $47,6 million to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, saying the budget lays the foundation for the resuscitation of local industry including Zisco Steel and Cold Storage Company (CSC).
The agriculture sector was allocated $989,3 million mainly to cater for inputs, irrigation development, mechanisation and subsidy arrangements in grain marketing with $53 million going towards payment for compensation to former white farm owners.
Drawing from the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), Prof Ncube said the dualisation and upgrading of the Harare-Beitbridge-Chirundu road, expansion of Hwange Thermal Power Station and the construction of Lupane Provincial Hospital and the Gwayi-Shangani Dam project would be accorded top priority.
The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs was allocated $155 million with $38,5 million going to the seven constitutional commissions which include the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC), Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec), Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) and National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC). The National Prosecuting Authority was allocated $8,1 million while the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) got $27,6 million. The Public Service Commission was given $279,3 million. — @mashnets
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