MP asks school heads holding leavers certificates over fee arrears to release them
By KNA, January 15, 2023Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has called on public day secondary school heads in the area withholding KCSE certificates for leavers over fee balances to release them.
He said it was wrong for any school principal to retain certificates for school leavers, saying it was tantamount to killing their future career prospects and dreams.
“The moment you withhold learners’ certificates, you have literally held their lives, hostage,” the MP said, noting it was currently difficult to secure employment without papers.
He noted that he had received numerous complaints from affected learners and ordered all school heads withholding certificates for over one year to release them to the owners immediately and unconditionally.
“I am currently dealing with a 2019 case of a student who has not been able to proceed with education as his certificate is being held over Sh5, 000 fees arrears,” he said.
He said, ” As long as it’s a public day secondary school, please release the certificates so that students can continue with their lives, they will one day come back to thank you when they are successful in life.”
Speaking on Saturday at Kithimu Primary School during the vetting of CDF bursary applicants, Mukunji called on the government to issue a directive to all public schools withholding certificates to release them.
“I want to appeal nationally to the President to issue a directive that all certificates for public secondary schools should be released to students so that the can go to TVETS, colleges or universities to enable them continue with their lives,” the legislator appealed.