- Education CS Julius Migos has instructed all schools to promptly release KNEC certificates, such as KCPE and KCSE, which have been retained from students who finished their exams.
- He stressed that denying students their certificates because of outstanding school fees is against the law and ordered county education directors to look into this matter, reporting back on compliance within two weeks.
- The administration continues to uphold the promise of equitable educational chances for every student and encourages both pupils and their families to inform them about schools not adhering to these standards.
Ivan Mboto from CDRNEWS.co.ke has more than three years of expertise in covering politics and contemporary issues in Kenya.
The Education Cabinet Secretary, Julius Migos, has ordered all educational institutions nationwide to promptly release Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) certificates that were retained from students who have finished their exams.
These certifications, such as the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), should be provided unconditionally.
On Monday, March 17, when tackling the problem, Migos stated that educational institutions do not have the right to keep students' certificates, terming this action as illegal and inappropriate.
He emphasized that no student should be prevented from obtaining their academic records just due to financial hardships.
A number of educational institutions in Kenya have historically retained students' certificates because of outstanding tuition fees, which has significantly affected learners' future education and career prospects.
"We have been informed by multiple sources that certain educational institutions are retaining KNEC certificates from students who took the exams there. The reason cited for this retention includes supposedly outstanding school fees," stated Ogamba.
Migos has assigned county education supervisors the responsibility of carrying out detailed inquiries into this issue and delivering an extensive report within two weeks to guarantee adherence to his instruction.
Principals and headteachers have been asked to adhere to this instruction promptly, as the CS has cautioned that serious repercussions will follow for those who do not comply.
According to Section 10 (1) b of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act 2012, it is prohibited for institutions or individuals to retain KNEC certificates or diplomas from students. By law, all candidates have the right to receive their certificates once their results are released; these documents should be handed over to the relevant schools, as he further explained.
Migos reiterated that the administration is dedicated to guaranteeing that all students in Kenya receive equitable treatment and are not disadvantaged due to unpaid school fees.
"Every institution holding onto KNEC certificates must hand them over to the students right away. The county directors of education have been instructed to provide my office with updates on their adherence to this order within two weeks starting from today," stated the CS.
How to obtain a replacement for a missing KCSE certificate
In an earlier piece, CDRNEWS.co.ke provided a detailed guide on the steps to take if you happen to misplace your original KCSE certificate.
Prior to starting the replacement process, make sure to collect all needed documentation. With everything ready, fill out the application form and include the requisite supporting materials when submitting it.
Once you have gathered all necessary paperwork, you may continue with your application for a certificate replacement via the QMIS platform. This digital process similarly pertains to those needing to obtain a new KCPE certificate due to loss.