Loima Constituency Member of Parliament Protus Akujah has raised concerns over the failure by the National Government to full disburse Presidential Secondary School Bursary (PSSB) for the past two financial years.
In his request of Statement from the Social Protection Committee Akujah disclosed that the PSSB has not benefited students as required.
The MP said that despite the National Assembly playing a crucial role in approving annual budget which includes an allocation of KSh1.2 billion to the kitty to be distributed across all constituencies, they have only received a paltry sum of the total fund, adding that this has resulted in the numerous beneficiaries, discontinuing their studies due to inability to pay school fees.
The legislator said the initiative was a commendable commitment to actualizing the provision of Article53 (1)(b) of the Constitution which enshrines the right of every child to free and compulsory basic education but is not fully implemented.
READ ALSO:
Fireworks expected as Kakamega County schools football pools released
“The current situation is particularly alarming given the rising number of targeted beneficiaries over the years, further compounding the need for adequate funding,” Akujah said while seeking the Statement at the floor of the house.
He tasked the Social Protection Committee to provide reasons for lack of disbursement of the full amount of the bursary to constituencies in last two financial years and to outline the plans that have been put in place to ensure timely disbursement of all the appropriated PSSB funds for the previous and current financial years.
“What measures has the Ministry put in place to guarantee that in future PSSB funds are released as allocated in the budget and disbursed in a timely manner?” he questioned.
The PSSB was established back in 2013 under the State Department of Social Protection with an aim of enhancing secondary school enrollment, attendance and completion of studies by orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya.
The PSSB is administered by the Children Department headquarters in all constituencies in the country.
By Obegi Malack
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
>>> Click here to stay up-to-date with trending regional stories
