Education Ministry orders certificates release, schools given 14 Days to comply

Schools have been directed to stop holding onto KCSE certificates over unpaid fees and instead turn to lawful channels to recover the balances.

In a move aimed at protecting students’ access to critical academic documents, the Ministry of Education has ordered all learning institutions to explore other available means of collecting outstanding school fees.

Through a circular dated April 1, Principal Secretary Julius Bitok instructed County Directors of Education to ensure that all secondary schools under their watch immediately release the certificates and submit a compliance report within 14 days.

The Ministry added that the holding of certificates is not permitted under current law.

Bitok cited the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Act, 2012, which prohibits the withholding of examination certificates for any reason, including fee arrears.

"You are hereby directed to instruct all secondary schools within your respective jurisdictions to immediately release KCSE certificates to the affected students upon request," Bitok stated.

He noted that these certificates are essential for students to either continue their education or seek employment and that financial challenges should not be used as a reason to deny them access.

Instead of holding back certificates, the Ministry urged schools to use other existing legal frameworks to follow up on outstanding balances.

"Schools are advised to utilise the established legal frameworks and alternative lawful methods to recover outstanding fees without withholding certificates," reads the circular.

The 14-day compliance period puts pressure on County Directors to act quickly, as they are now responsible for overseeing implementation and reporting back to the Ministry.

The directive follows an earlier call by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, who had warned schools against using unpaid fees as a reason to hold back KCSE certificates.

Ogamba acknowledged the burden this places on learners, particularly those from poor households who often cannot raise the money and are forced to abandon their academic goals.

Some students have resorted to low-paying jobs, while others have fallen into depression or drug abuse, unable to pursue further education or employment without their certificates.

The Ministry’s latest action is a clear warning to schools to stop the illegal practice and to find proper, legal ways to pursue debts without blocking learners from moving forward.

County Directors now have until mid-April to ensure full compliance and file reports detailing the steps taken to enforce the directive.