The Ministry of Education has responded to a growing number of complaints from students and parents regarding the unlawful withholding of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates by schools due to unpaid school fees.
In a circular to all the County Directors of Education, Principal Secretary Julius Bitok ordered them to ensure its immediate release, noting the practice is a violation of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Act, 2012.
The Act, he said, clearly prohibits the withholding of certificates for any reason, including outstanding fees.
"You are hereby directed to instruct all secondary schools within your respective jurisdictions to immediately release KCSE certificates to the affected students upon request," he said.
This as he emphasised the importance of the documents in ensuring the students continue their education or engage in economic activities.
The circular further directs that the learning institutions should pursue other available channels in recovering the balances.
"Schools are advised to utilise the established legal frameworks and alternative lawful methods to recover outstanding fees without withholding certificates," it reads.
The county directors have been tasked with ensuring compliance and submitting a compliance report to the Ministry within 14 days of receiving the directive.
The circular is dated April 1.
This move comes as part of the government's ongoing efforts to protect the rights of students and ensure that financial issues do not hinder their academic and professional progress.
Last month, Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba issued a similar notice stating that no student should be denied access to their certificates because of financial constraints.
Unable to raise the requisite fee balance, some learners from vulnerable households forego their dreams altogether and turn to menial jobs.
Hit by the reality of the possibility of never realising their dreams, others fall into depression or drug abuse.
Ogamba's directive hence comes as a reprieve to students and parents who may have been waiting for years for their certificates to either advance their studies or apply for jobs.
