Antony Chawagarira
HARARE – The government has moved to regularise the Better Schools Programme Zimbabwe (BSPZ) as a statutory fund after the Treasury approved a 12-month winding-up plan for the programme.
The approval provides a transition period during which the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education will settle verified liabilities, complete approved ongoing projects, and put in place the legislative framework required to establish BSPZ as a statutory fund.
In a circular dated 19 August 2026, the Permanent Secretary for Primary and Secondary Education, Moses Mihike, said the Treasury had approved the proposed winding-up arrangements through a letter dated 18 August.
The Ministry said the plan was designed to ensure sound management of BSPZ’s financial, administrative, and operational affairs during the transition.
Available BSPZ balances will first be used to settle verified arrears as of the cut-off date of 13 October 2025.
Priority will be given to salary and staff-related arrears, utility bills, statutory obligations—including PAYE, NSSA, and medical aid contributions—as well as other approved commitments.
Any balance remaining after the settlement of verified liabilities will be used only for completing ongoing BSPZ centres and infrastructure projects, rehabilitating existing facilities, and procuring essential tools of trade.
The Ministry has prohibited the initiation of new projects, unauthorised contractual commitments, and the expansion of administrative structures during the winding-up period.
The suspension of BSPZ levies also remains in force, with no collections allowed from pupils, parents, or schools.
The Ministry said all procurement and disposal of BSPZ assets must comply with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act and other applicable Government regulations.
Provincial education authorities have been directed to submit certified monthly reports to the accounting officer by the 10th day of each succeeding month.
The reports must account for opening balances, arrears settled, outstanding liabilities, developmental expenditure, procurement and asset-disposal activities, and closing balances.
The Ministry will conduct periodic monitoring, inspections, and audits to ensure compliance with the approved plan.
It warned that misuse or misapplication of BSPZ resources could result in disciplinary and, where applicable, criminal proceedings.
BSPZ was launched in 1993 to strengthen teacher capacity and improve the quality of teaching and learning.
The programme later became an important source of funding for operational requirements at provincial and district education offices.
The Ministry’s Director of Communication and Advocacy, Taungana Ndoro, said the Treasury approval provided a framework for ensuring transparency and accountability during the transition.
He said the 12-month period would allow the Ministry to complete outstanding projects while advancing legislative reforms to establish BSPZ as a statutory fund.
\Ndoro reiterated that the suspension of BSPZ levies remained in force and warned officials against diverting resources or undertaking activities outside of the approved winding-up plan.
The circular took effect immediately and will remain in force until further notice or the completion of the process to regularise BSPZ under the statutory framework.
