Busia leaders have issued a stern warning to school heads who are defiant to the directive issued by the Ministry of Education regarding issuance of academic certificates to students without any hindrances.
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba ordered all public and private schools withholding Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates to release them to former students regardless of outstanding fees.
In light of the directive, Matayos MP Geofrey Odanga, who spoke at St. Teresa’s Girls Primary School in Busia Town during the commissioning of a Grade Nine classroom, cautioned School Principals in his constituency against withholding the certificates.
He reiterated that such actions were in violation of the law and also hindered the education progress of students, adding that those who violated this directive would face the full force of the law.
“The directive applies to all schools, whether public or private. It is based on the Kenya National Examination Council Act, 2012, Section 10 (1b), which states that no certificates should be held by any institution or individual for any reason. Therefore, those in violation will face the law,” said Odanga.
Similarly, Teso South MP Mary Emase, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Education Committee, issued the same warning, noting that if School Principals persisted in withholding of certificates, students would be directed to collect their certificates from County and Sub-County Education offices.
“If the School Principals continue withholding certificates, we are going to ensure that they submit the certificates to Education offices in the County and Sub-Counties, so that former students can collect them from there,” remarked Emase.
However, the head teachers, through the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), criticized this move and urged the government to provide alternative measures for debt recovery so as to ensure the smooth running of day-to-day school activities.
School heads have traditionally held to students’ certificates to try and coerce parents to clear school fee arrears.
By Owen Mutai
