The Ministry of Education has announced that from 2026, students graduating from primary and secondary school in Kenya will collect their KCPE and KCSE certificates from Sub-County education offices rather than their former schools.
Reason for the Shift
PataTutor Online Launches Easier Home LearningThis decision, revealed by Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba while appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Education, is aimed at ending the practice of school heads withholding certificates due to unpaid fees.
CS Ogamba stated,
“We have thought about sending the next results to our sub-county offices with copies of register to the schools, to confirm the certificates have been picked by the students. That way, there will be no challenge or a situation where the students are suffering or being told to pay many things before receiving the certificate,” he said.
Parliament Demands Change
The announcement followed tough questioning by Funyula Member of Parliament Wilberforce Oundo, who pressed the CS on why the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) could not send certificates directly to students.
Oundo asked,
“Instead of this protracted tussle between the students and principals, why can’t Kenya National Examination Council send the result slips directly to the students, just like E-Citizen and birth certificate where you don’t have to go to a place where you were born to get a birth certificate?”
Addressing Past Challenges
For years, students who did not clear all school fees found it difficult to collect their certificates, with some being asked to pay additional charges. The move to Sub-County offices will address this issue, ensuring students receive their documents directly without further obstacles.
Verification and Record Keeping
CS Ogamba assured that proper verification procedures would be implemented.
Registers will be provided to schools to confirm certificate pickups, ensuring transparency and accuracy in the process.
Conclusion
This new directive marks a significant step towards fairness and efficiency in Kenya’s education system, safeguarding students’ rights to access their academic certificates without unnecessary delays or hurdles caused by school administration disputes.
