Factors Contributing to the Effectiveness of Presidential Secondary School Bursary as a Social Assistance Programme: A Case of Borabu Constituency Nyamira County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the factors contributing to the effectiveness of the PSSB as a social assistance programme in Borabu Constituency. The bursary normally targets OVCs in public boarding schools. The overall objective of the study was to examine the factors contributing to the effectiveness of the PSSB as a social assistance programme in Borabu Constituency, while the specific objectives of this study was; to examine the influence of distribution logistics on the effectiveness of the PSSB; to assess the influence of the legal frame work on the effectiveness of the PSSB; to evaluate the influence of household socio-economic status on the effectiveness of the PSSB. The study was guided by John Rawls' theory of social justice and the human capital theory. The study used descriptive research design. The target population for the study was the PSSB beneficiaries for the 2019/2020 FY and the bursary committee members. The sample size was 74 comprising of 70 PSSB beneficiaries and 4 sub-committee members. Data collection was done using interview guide for key informant interview and questionnaires that had both closed and open ended questions that were administered by the researcher with the help of research assistants through a face to face interview. The test-retest technique was used to assess the reliability of the research instruments while validity of the same was assured through the guidance of the supervisor. The researcher undertook a pilot test in Masaba North Sub-county. To analyze the data collected, the statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) was used; whereby frequencies, percentages, were generated from the various data categories, computed and shown in different graphs, tables and figures. Qualitative data was analyzed using key themes which were noted as the most repeated responses. The study found out that PSSB publicity was high within Borabu Constituency and it reached out to the target population of OVC. The timely release of funds from the national treasury had a great bearing in enhancing effectiveness of PSSB in terms of reducing absenteeism. The study also found out that the amount allocated for PSSB was not adequate to cater for all the school fees and beneficiaries still had outstanding fee balances even after getting the PSSB award. The study concluded that PSSB has greatly relieved the burden of school fees on parents/guardians taking care of OVC and has facilitated their attainment of the right to education. The study recommended that the amount allocated for PSSB per beneficiary be increased to cater for all the school fees requirements. Further the study recommends that the national treasury should prioritize timely release of funds to facilitate timely distribution to beneficiaries to avoid being sent home. Finally, the study recommended that the government should consider coming up with a dignity kitty as part of the benefit package for the PSSB beneficiaries to cater for other educational needs.