In a decisive move to address longstanding concerns, Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Julius Migos has ordered the immediate release of certificates that had been withheld from students due to outstanding school fees. This directive comes after widespread reports that many students were unable to receive their Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) and Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) due to financial arrears.
The CS highlighted that it is unlawful for any educational institution to withhold students’ examination results, regardless of whether fees have been paid. Speaking from Jogoo House, the headquarters of the Ministry of Education, Migos stressed that such practices are against the law and ordered county education directors to submit reports within the next 14 days detailing the current status of any withheld certificates.
In addition, Migos announced that the government had recently allocated Ksh 14 billion to secondary schools, which was disbursed last Friday to settle the first-term capitation. This move is expected to alleviate financial pressures and ensure that students and schools are better supported.
During his briefing, Migos also addressed the ongoing strike at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK). After intense negotiations led by an inter-ministerial committee, he revealed that a memorandum of understanding had been signed with the Kenya University Staff Union (KUSU) and the University Academic Staff Union (UASU). This agreement marks the end of a month-long strike that had severely disrupted academic activities at the university. The CS expressed confidence that TUK’s administration would work diligently to make up for lost time, ensuring that students’ education continues without further hindrance.
“The Ministry of Education is committed to maintaining a smooth learning environment in all public universities,” Migos remarked, adding that adequate measures were in place to ensure the continuation of academic programs at higher learning institutions.
UASU Secretary General, Constant Wasonga, confirmed that classes at TUK would resume immediately, bringing an end to the strike. He praised the Ministry of Education for stepping in with a financial bailout plan for the university, which he believed would help resolve the underlying issues in a phased manner. “Though not all our concerns have been fully addressed, this is a significant step forward. We now have a plan that will tackle these issues long-term,” Wasonga stated.
Similarly, Dr. Philip Onyango, the Chairperson of KUSU, expressed his gratitude to all parties involved in the negotiation process. He also reiterated that while immediate issues had been resolved, discussions with the government would continue to address future concerns and ensure that the root causes of the strike are adequately dealt with.
A letter dated January 27, 2025, from the employer to KUSU, appealed for the suspension of the strike, assuring the union that all arising issues would be addressed amicably.
These developments highlight the Ministry of Education’s commitment to resolving financial and administrative issues within the sector, ensuring that students’ rights to education are upheld, and that academic disruptions are minimized.
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