Presidential Secondary School Bursary (PSSB)

Presidential Secondary School Bursary (PSSB)

The Presidential Secondary School Bursary (PSSB) is a Government initiative aimed at supporting Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) from disadvantaged households to access and complete secondary education. Introduced in the 2013/2014 financial year, the bursary complements the Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC) Programme and contributes to the realization of the child’s right to basic education as provided under Section 13 of the Children Act, 2022. The programme seeks to improve enrollment, attendance, retention, and completion rates among vulnerable learners across Kenya.

The bursary primarily covers school fees for eligible students enrolled in public boarding secondary schools, while the Government continues to support learners in day secondary schools through existing education financing policies. Its implementation is guided by the Ministry of Education Kenya Gazette Notice Vol. CXVII No. 23 of 10th March 2015 and Ministry of Education Circular Ref. MOE.HQS/3/3/3 dated 19th October 2017. The bursary is constituency based, with funding apportioned equally to all constituencies.

Main Objective of the Bursary
To increase the number of Orphans and Vulnerable Children enrolled, retained and transiting from secondary schools.

Specific Objectives of the Bursary 

  • To increase secondary school enrolment and retention for OVC; 
  • To increase the number of OVC completing secondary education (Form IV); and
  • To build the capacity of the OVC to become self-reliant and develop their human capital.

 

  1. Beneficiaries must be Orphans / Vulnerable Children from very poor households.
  2. The beneficiary must be enrolled in a public boarding secondary school; 
  3. The beneficiary must be under 18 years of age at entry point into the bursary Scheme;
  4. He/she must be resident in the target Location within the Constituency; 
  5. He or She must be a needy child from statutory children institutions. All beneficiaries will be supported for the period they are school form 1-4 in 
  6. However, this scheme does not cater for students in day schools or in Private Secondary Schools;
    The above guidelines are in line with the Ministry of Education Kenya Gazette Vol. CXVII No. 23 (10th March, 2015.) for Day Schools and Ministry of Education Circular MOE.HQS/3/3/3 dated 19th October, 2017

N.B.: The PSSB Guidelines are due for revision to incorporate emerging issues and the change in the education system from 8-4-4 to Competency Based Curriculum (CBE).

 

The Beneficiary Selection Process 
For a student to be selected for the bursary award, the following steps will be followed; 

  1. The student must apply for bursary in the prescribed form which must be dully filled,
  2. They must have a minimum of 250 marks in KCPE. However, special consideration may be made for any applicant who does not meet 4 the pass mark of 250. This must be documented in the minutes as to why such considerations were made, 
  3. They must be admitted in a public boarding secondary school.

 

The PSSB which caters for beneficiaries in Boarding Schools will cater a maximum of Kshs. 30,000 for each student. The Parent/Guardian is expected to cater for any amount above that.

The Presidential Secondary School Bursary (PSSB) has enhanced access to secondary education for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) by reducing financial barriers to schooling. The programme has contributed to improved enrolment, retention, and completion rates among vulnerable learners, enabling them to remain in school and pursue better future opportunities.