CS Ogamba Warns Principals Holding Exam Certificates Over School Fee Arrears
Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Ogamba has once again issued a stern warning to school principals still holding national examination certificates belonging to students with unpaid school fees.
Speaking at MaryHill Girls High School during a Prize Giving Day event on Wednesday, Ogamba declared that the continued withholding of certificates is illegal, and principals found culpable risk disciplinary action from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) and legal action, including potential jail terms.
“You will face both disciplinary and legal action. On disciplinary, the Teachers Service Commission knows what they have to do. On legal action, you will be taken to court,” stated the CS.
14-Day Deadline for Certificate Release
The Ministry of Education has issued a 14-day ultimatum for County Education officials to submit reports on uncollected student certificates. Principals found to be defying this directive will face immediate consequences.
“Legally, you should not be holding a certificate bearing the name of a student. If it’s failure to pay school fees, your contract is with the parent, not the student,” Ogamba emphasized.
The CS urged school heads to personally contact affected students and release their certificates before facing legal consequences. He also warned that long-term withholding—some as long as 10 years—may lead to “quantification in law”, meaning courts could assign monetary value for damages caused by denying students their documents.
Background: Longstanding Issue with Certificate Withholding
While the directive has been issued multiple times over the years, enforcement has been lax, with many school heads ignoring the policy. CS Ogamba assured the public that this time, enforcement will be strict, and schools will not be spared.
“People have said this directive has been given many times and so nothing is going to happen. I assure you that something is going to happen,” he reiterated.
University Funding Model Under Review
CS Ogamba also addressed the ongoing debate around the University Funding Model introduced in May 2023, which was struck down by the High Court for being discriminatory and lacking public participation.
He said the Ministry has been compiling a report since October 2024 and will now conduct nationwide public participation forums in line with a Court of Appeal directive.
The court directed the Attorney General, the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), and the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) to publicize the model to institutions and students within 14 days.
“We are ready with the report and will engage the public to ensure inclusivity and transparency in the funding framework,” said Ogamba.
Conclusion
CS Julius Ogamba’s firm stance signals the government’s renewed commitment to protect learners’ rights, promote fair access to education, and uphold the rule of law in school administration. Simultaneously, the ministry is moving to revise the university funding model to ensure equity, legality, and stakeholder inclusion.
