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The National Aids Council (NAC) also contributed an extra $560 000 for secondary schools under the programme.

Mr Museka said 170 000 beneficiaries in secondary schools were expected to be catered for under Beam last year.

The Beam policy states that schools should be paid on a first come first served basis.

“Of the $5 million released in May 2012 by Government, $1,5 million was used to pay Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees for 16 401 pupils across the country. The rest, including the contribution from NAC, was spent on fees payment to secondary schools that had sent in their applications by the time funds were released from Treasury around May 2012,” said Mr Museka.

He said by the time the money was released, provinces were at various levels in terms of submission of application forms.

Mr Museka said provinces like Mashonaland Central, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Midlands, had the highest number of schools that had submitted application forms by May 2012.

Bulawayo and Matabeleland South Provinces had the least numbers in percentage terms that had submitted the application forms by May 2012.

“In Matabeleland South, a total of $120 082 was paid to 30 schools covering 1 685 pupils. More applications from an additional 108 schools were later received after the initial release from Treasury had been exhausted. A total of 4 302 secondary  pupils in the province are yet to have their  fees paid and this will be done together with all the other provinces once the outstanding $10 million from Treasury is released. Out of the $10 million owed to all secondary schools countrywide, schools in Matabeleland South Province are owed $454 283,” he said.

The provinces that are owed the highest amounts are Manicaland and Mashonaland West with fees for 9 587 and 6 871 pupils unpaid.

In Gwanda District in Matabeleland South, reports say that no secondary pupil under the Beam programme benefited last year.

Mr Museka said the Government, in collaboration with its partners, remained committed to funding Beam. He added that schools would be paid the outstanding amounts once Treasury released the funds.

“School authorities are implored not to turn away pupils when Beam funds have not yet been received, as the funds will certainly be paid.

“Adequate resources have been budgeted for both primary and secondary schools in 2013 and schools are urged to expedite selection processes as per Beam systems and procedures and  urgently submit to the Beam Programme Management Unit (PMU) through the normal channels,” he said.

Meanwhile, most primary school pupils had their fees paid for last year. The UK Department              for International Development (DFID) contributed   $15 million to cater for primary school education.  A total of 337 301 pupils were assisted through the $15 million from DFID.