Education Ministry to Relocate Custody of KCSE Certificates from Schools.
The government is considering transferring the custody of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates from schools to sub-county directors of education offices.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba informed Members of Parliament that this move aims to prevent principals from withholding the certificates, a practice that continues despite directives against it.
MPs’ Concerns Over Withheld Certificates
This proposal follows increased pressure from MPs urging the government to compel school heads to release certificates held due to unpaid fees. Lawmakers noted that thousands of former students remain unable to secure jobs or pursue higher education because their documents are still in schools.
MPs sitting in the National Assembly Education Committee pointed out that many affected individuals have been forced into unskilled labour due to the lack of academic credentials.
They also questioned the effectiveness of Ogamba’s recent directive instructing schools to release all withheld certificates unconditionally, noting that similar orders issued by past education ministers had been ignored.
Tinderet MP Julius Melly, the committee chair, asked what would make this directive different from previous ones that were never enforced.
Financial Concerns and Past Proposals
School heads have defended their actions, arguing that institutions are owed over Sh20 billion in unpaid fees, making it financially challenging to release certificates without payment.
In 2019, then Education CS George Magoha had suggested that only students genuinely unable to pay should have their certificates released unconditionally, while those capable of clearing their arrears should be required to do so.
He also proposed listing defaulters with Credit Reference Bureaus (CRBs) to enforce payments. However, MPs at the time dismissed this approach as punitive.
Uncertainty Over CBC Students
Ogamba did not clarify whether this new policy would also apply to students under the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), who will receive certificates at the end of junior secondary (Grade 9) and senior secondary (Grade 12).
With only three more KCSE cohorts remaining before the 8-4-4 system is fully phased out, any policy changes would primarily impact the last groups of candidates under the current system.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia has previously issued similar directives to school heads, instructing them to release certificates.
Education Ministry to Relocate Custody of KCSE Certificates from Schools
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