Govt, partners redesign BEAM

Melissa Makoto Herald Reporter
Government in partnership with Vana/Bantwana project is redesigning the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) to create a better system for all children, an official has said.

The Vana/Bantwana programme is working with Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in providing support for vulnerable children with tools and support to unlock their potential.

Speaking during the Vana/Bantwana celebrations, secretary Dr Judith Kateera, who was standing in for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Dr Sekai Nzenza, said they were proud to have a more relevant and sustainable BEAM framework.

“We continue to aim for better BEAM and a better educational system for all our children, especially access to quality learning material, school furniture and educational infrastructure,” she said.

The USAID Zimbabwe acting mission director Mr Mike McCord said they were happy with the Vana/Bantwana programme and had been supporting it over the last 12 years.

“The United States has contributed over a billion dollars to Zimbabwe over the last 12 years for HIV prevention, care and treatment services,” he said

He said they had empowered and educated 300 000 children this year to identify and prevent gender-based violence.

“It also provided gender-based violence response services to survivors, including medical, legal and counselling support,” said Mr McCord.