Kenya Certificate Of Secondary Education To Be Collected From Government Offices Instead Of Schools

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

In a major shift in policy, the Ministry of Education has announced that Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) certificates will no longer be collected from schools, but will instead be issued through government offices.

This move aims to streamline the process and address challenges that have long plagued certificate issuance.

According to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, the decision was made to curb cases where students struggle to retrieve their certificates due to outstanding school fees or misplaced documents.

“We want to ensure that all students can access their academic documents without unnecessary obstacles. By shifting distribution to government offices, we eliminate the risk of schools withholding certificates,” the CS stated.

The new policy is expected to benefit thousands of students who, in the past, have faced difficulties obtaining their certificates due to bureaucratic delays or restrictive school policies.

Some schools have been accused of holding onto certificates for years, preventing former students from pursuing higher education or job opportunities.

Under the new system, students will be required to visit designated government offices, such as Huduma Centres or County Education Offices, to collect their certificates.

They will need to present their national ID cards or birth certificates for verification.

Reactions to the announcement have been mixed. While some students and parents welcome the change, others have raised concerns about potential delays and accessibility issues, especially for those in remote areas.

The Ministry of Education has assured the public that the process will be efficient and that measures will be put in place to ensure smooth distribution.

The government has yet to specify when the new system will take effect, but education officials have indicated that the transition will be gradual to avoid disruption.

This policy marks a significant step in improving education administration in Kenya, ensuring that students can access their certificates without unnecessary barriers.