KCSE Certificates to Be Collected from Government Offices, Not Schools

The government has announced a policy shift requiring Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates to be collected from sub-county education offices instead of schools. This move aims to curb the longstanding issue of principals withholding certificates due to unpaid school fees.

Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba stated that the directive is meant to ensure all students can access their certificates without financial barriers. “No student should be denied their right to a certificate because of school fees. This new approach guarantees fairness for all,” he said.

For years, students have struggled to obtain their KCSE certificates, with some schools holding them as collateral for unpaid arrears. Despite previous government directives to release the documents, many institutions continued the practice, citing accumulated unpaid fees amounting to over Ksh20 billion.

The new policy is expected to benefit thousands of students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, by providing a centralized and accessible collection point. The government has urged all affected individuals to visit their respective sub-county education offices for collection.

However, some education stakeholders have raised concerns over the enforcement of the directive, given past instances where similar orders were ignored. Parliament has also called for strict monitoring to ensure full compliance by all schools.

With this policy shift, the government aims to remove barriers preventing students from pursuing higher education and employment due to lack of certification.