The Ministry of Education has issued a circular regarding illegal levies and withholding of Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).
REF: MOE.HQS/3/6/116(53)
8th November 2022
County Directors of Education
RE: ILLEGAL LEVIES AND WITHHOLDING OF KCPE AND KCSE CERTIFICATES BY SCHOOLS
As you are aware the Government has over the years cushioned poor households by introducing Free Primary Education and Free Day Secondary Education at the Basic Education Sub-Sector.
The Ministry of Education has sent numerous reminders and circulars to schools through the field officers warning them against introduction of extra levies, withholding KCPE/KCSE certificates and conducting of illegal tuition during weekends and school holidays.
However, the Ministry continues to receive complaints from aggrieved parents and guardians on extra levies, withholding of certificats and conducting illegal tuition.
Your attention is drawn to the following sections of the law which prohibits illegal levies, withholding of certificates and conducting illegal tuition.
(a) Regulation 44 of the Basic Education Act, 2013 that prohibits any school to issue a fees structure other than the one issued by the Cabinet Secretary.
(b) Section 10(1)(b) of the KNEC Act, 2012 which prohibits all schools from withholding certificates for any candidate.
(c) Section 29(1) of the Basic Education Act 2013 that prohibits holiday tuition.
Please note that the Ministry’s directives that banned activities and visits during third term still stand.
All activities like Annual General Meetings for parents and prayer days are not allowed in the schools during examination term (third term).
All field officers are required to enforce the content of this circular.
Julius O. Jwan, PhD, CBS
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY