Effectiveness of the Presidential Secondary School Bursary (PSSB) on Education of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Selected Sub-Counties in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

The Presidential Secondary School Bursary (PSSB) was initiated as a complementary service to support Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) in Secondary education in Kenya. However, there is limited evidence on the impact of the scheme on the enrolment, retention, and transition of OVC into higher and tertiary level education. This study examined the contribution of PSSB to the education of OVCs in Nairobi. The study anchored on the Theory of Socialist Economics of Education and Human Capital Theory. The study deployed a qualitative research design. Using purposive sampling, Nairobi County and Kasarani, Westlands, and Langata Sub-Counties were selected respectively. In each Sub-County, student beneficiaries, Principals, and Children’s Officers were the respondents. The sample size consisted of 7 students, 5 Principals, and 6 Children’s Officers selected using a purposive sampling method. In-depth interviews were conducted and data analysed using content and thematic analysis. The results show that the profile of student beneficiaries fit with the selection criteria of OVC benefitting from the scheme and that the PSSB was not adequate as most beneficiary absenteeism from schools was due to fee balances. Deserving students were left out due to non-observance of scheme procedures and guidelines. In terms of its impact, the beneficiaries’ psycho-social wellbeing was good leading to improvement in academic performance. The retention of students also improved. The study recommends an increase in the annual allocation of funds to the PSSB.