By Philemon Kiprop
School heads have been warned against withholding academic certificates on the grounds of student’s failure to clear school fees.
Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Sam Ojwang has decried the increasing number of school leavers who have been denied their academic certificates on the grounds that they owe the institutions money in arrears.
The administrator said it is against the policies laid down by the Ministry of Education to withhold certificates of learners from poor families adding that the vice denies students the opportunity to further their studies.
Ojwang spoke after a complaint that was lodged in his office of Brenda Chebet who after scoring a B in her national examinations from St. John’s Secondary School Sinende, has been denied her certificate.
He called on parents who have had similar predicaments to report to his office.
Speaking to the media in Kitale, Chebet said that efforts by her parents and human rights activists to engage the school to have her certificate released have borne no fruits.
Hailing from Matisi slums, Chebet who is raised by a single mother says her mother is not able to clear the huge amount of money owed to the school.
“Since I completed my studies in2019 and scored B in KCSE, my aspirations to further my studies are on the brink for lack of the certificate. The school has denied me even a photocopy of the certificate. My friends are now pursuing their studies,” remarked a brokenhearted Chebet.
She had received admission to study Education in the university. She calls on well-wishers to come to her rescue so she can continue to pursue her education.
