The National Assembly Education Committee has directed the Teachers Service Commission to issue an immediate circular compelling schools to release all withheld academic certificates, warning that the practice violates government policy and continues to block thousands of learners from employment and further education opportunities.
Parliament Orders Action on Withheld Certificates
Members of the National Assembly Committee on Education have instructed the Teachers Service Commission to formally direct schools to release all school-leaving certificates withheld due to unpaid fees, reinforcing an existing government ban on the practice.
The directive emerged during deliberations on the Commission’s 2026/27 Budget Policy Statement session attended by TSC Acting Chief Executive Officer Evelyn Mitei.
Committee Chair Julius Melly said the continued retention of certificates contradicts government policy, particularly because the State already settles national examination registration costs for candidates.
“Teachers must not hold certificates hostage. The Ministry already issued a circular banning that practice. We direct TSC to make a public announcement reminding all teachers that withholding certificates is illegal,” Melly told the session.
Concern Over Impact on Jobs and Education Opportunities
Lawmakers warned that the persistence of certificate retention has created significant socioeconomic barriers for affected learners.
Committee members noted that thousands of former students across the country remain unable to access academic credentials necessary for job applications, tertiary education admissions, and vocational training enrollment.
Jerusha Momanyi emphasized that denying students access to their certificates due to school fee arrears undermines both labour rights and education policy protections.
The concerns reflect a long-standing national debate over balancing school fee recovery mechanisms with learners’ rights to documentation verifying academic achievement.
TSC Commits to Issue Nationwide Directive
Responding to the committee, Ms Mitei acknowledged the issue and confirmed that the Commission would act on the directive.
She indicated that TSC would communicate the requirement to release certificates through county education offices, reinforcing compliance expectations among school administrators and head teachers.
The Acting CEO reiterated that the Commission remains committed to accountability and adherence to policy frameworks governing teacher conduct and institutional management.
The anticipated circular is expected to trigger administrative action at school level, potentially enabling thousands of learners to access certificates previously withheld.
Budget Scrutiny Highlights Teacher Welfare and Promotions
Beyond certificate retention, the committee’s engagement with TSC also examined broader human resource and welfare issues affecting the teaching workforce.
Members questioned delays in teacher promotions, regional disparities in development projects, and progress in integrating teachers into the Social Health Authority medical scheme administered by Social Health Authority.
According to Ms Mitei, the Commission has secured KSh16.5 billion toward implementation of the scheme against a required KSh26.5 billion, leaving a KSh10 billion funding gap.
She said TSC is working closely with SHA to onboard teachers and conduct sensitization efforts aimed at improving utilization of healthcare services under the programme.
The funding shortfall highlights continuing fiscal pressures associated with expanding social protection coverage for public sector workers.
Proposed KSh422.96 Billion Allocation Signals Workforce Expansion
The committee session also reviewed TSC’s proposed KSh422.96 billion allocation for the 2026/27 financial year, reflecting the Commission’s central role in Kenya’s education system.
Key expenditure priorities within the proposal include recruitment of 16,000 additional teachers and conversion of 20,000 interns to permanent and pensionable terms.
The planned workforce expansion aligns with government efforts to address teacher shortages, manage growing learner populations, and support curriculum delivery reforms.
However, lawmakers signaled that oversight would continue to ensure budget allocations translate into measurable improvements in service delivery and teacher welfare outcomes.
Policy Enforcement Seen as Critical to Education Equity
The committee’s directive on certificate release underscores Parliament’s increasing focus on enforcement of existing education policies rather than introduction of new regulatory frameworks.
Analysts note that effective implementation of the directive could remove a significant administrative barrier affecting school leavers, particularly those from low-income households disproportionately impacted by fee arrears.
By linking policy compliance to broader education access and labour market participation objectives, lawmakers appear intent on strengthening institutional accountability across the sector.
With TSC expected to issue a formal circular in the coming weeks, attention will shift to enforcement mechanisms and monitoring systems to ensure nationwide adherence.
