In a decisive move to protect the future of thousands of Kenyan youth, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has officially declared war on the illegal practice of withholding academic certificates. As of February 28, 2026, Acting CEO Evaleen Mitei has issued a high-priority circular to all primary and secondary school heads, ordering the immediate and unconditional release of KCPE and KCSE certificates to former students, parents, or guardians.
This directive marks a critical turning point in the TSC’s 2024–2026 reform agenda, shifting the focus from administrative logistics to student rights and professional ethics.
For years, many school principals have used national examination certificates as “leverage” to force parents into settling outstanding fee arrears. The TSC has now categorized this practice as a gross violation of both the law and professional conduct.
According to the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Act of 2012, once certificates are issued, they cannot be withheld by any person or institution. The Commission emphasized that academic documents belong solely to the learners and are essential for securing employment, university admission, and professional growth.
Despite previous warnings from the Ministry of Education in 2025, complaints have continued to flood the Commission’s headquarters. In response, Mitei has authorized Regional and County Directors to enforce strict compliance. Any school head found ignoring this directive will face immediate disciplinary action under the Code of Regulations for Teachers. The message is clear: using a student’s future as a financial bargaining chip is no longer a tolerable administrative strategy in Kenya’s evolving education landscape.
The TSC’s stance is anchored in Article 53 of the Constitution, which guarantees every child the right to education—a right that includes unrestricted access to their academic records.
By enforcing this directive, the Commission is aligning its operations with the Basic Education Act of 2013, ensuring that financial disputes between parents and schools do not translate into “career paralysis” for the youth. As the country moves toward the specialized Senior School pathways of 2026, removing these bureaucratic bottlenecks is seen as essential for social mobility.
To ensure the directive has “teeth,” the TSC has invited affected parents and former students to report non-compliant institutions to their respective County Directors. With the 2026 academic calendar in full swing, the Commission is determined to ensure that no Kenyan is blocked from their next milestone due to a withheld certificate.
This bold intervention reinforces the TSC’s commitment to “Service Delivery Re-engineering,” placing the dignity of the learner at the heart of the commission’s mandate.
