ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! NPA BACKS EDUCATION CS, DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ALL WITHHELD EXAMINATION CERTIFICATES
By Jeff Kizzilah Digital Editor
Silas David Obuhatsa urges principals to comply or face appropriate action as parents are mobilised to report schools withholding candidates’ certificates over unpaid fees.
The National Parents Association (NPA) has thrown its full support behind the Cabinet Secretary for Education’s directive requiring schools to release examination certificates withheld over outstanding school fees, insisting that no learner should have their future jeopardised by financial disputes.
In a strongly worded statement, NPA National Chairman Mr. Silas David Obuhatsa called on all school principals to comply immediately with the directive and release the affected certificates directly to the students concerned without unnecessary delays or additional conditions linked to unpaid fees.
“The future of our children must never become a casualty of avoidable disputes over school fees,” the association said, urging school administrations to separate financial disputes from students’ access to essential academic documents.
NPA URGES PARENTS TO COLLECT CERTIFICATES
The association has called on parents and guardians whose children’s examination certificates remain withheld to visit their respective schools and seek their immediate release.
Obuhatsa urged parents to engage school administrations peacefully, professionally and firmly, while reporting any continued refusal to release certificates through established Parents Association structures.
The NPA also took note of the Education Cabinet Secretary’s public statement issued on Sunday, October 11, warning that stern action would be taken against those who defy the government’s directive.
The association called on school heads to take the warning seriously and comply without waiting for further complaints or enforcement measures.
SCHOOL HEADS FACE INCREASED SCRUTINY
In a move aimed at identifying schools that have yet to comply, the NPA has directed School, Sub-County and County Parents Association chairpersons to establish the extent of the problem and submit verified reports for follow-up.
School PA chairpersons have been asked to identify affected students, establish the number of certificates being withheld and report the cases to their Sub-County counterparts.
Sub-County officials will consolidate reports from schools and forward them to County PA chairpersons, who will escalate documented cases to the relevant Ministry of Education authorities.
The NPA will coordinate the reports at the national level and engage relevant authorities to ensure unresolved cases receive attention.
Reports should include the name and location of the school, the number of affected students, the certificates being withheld, action taken by parents and the school administration’s response.
The association emphasised that all reports must be factual, properly documented and submitted through established channels.
SCHOOL FEES DISPUTES MUST BE HANDLED SEPARATELY
While acknowledging that schools have financial obligations and parents have responsibilities regarding school fees, the NPA maintained that such disputes should be addressed through appropriate administrative and lawful channels.
It urged school administrations to demonstrate professionalism and fairness, warning against unnecessary delays, intimidation or victimisation of parents seeking their children’s academic documents.
The association further called on education officers to monitor compliance, investigate verified complaints and take appropriate action where violations of applicable laws, regulations or administrative directives are established.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!” — NPA
Obuhatsa reiterated that parents should not remain silent when their children’s certificates continue to be withheld.
The NPA called on every principal to release the affected certificates, every parent to follow up with their child’s school, every PA chairperson to document unresolved cases and the relevant authorities to act on verified reports.
“RELEASE THE CERTIFICATES. RESPECT THE RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF CANDIDATES. REPORT NON-COMPLIANT SCHOOLS. TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.”
The association said the time for unnecessary confrontation, excuses and delays must come to an end, urging parents and school administrations to work together in the best interests of learners.
The NPA’s message is clear: outstanding school fees should be pursued through appropriate channels, while students’ academic futures must remain protected.
