{"count":1608389,"next":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=138132","previous":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/?format=json&page=138130","results":[{"id":1397721,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397721/?format=json","text_counter":84,"type":"scene","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"(Hon. Julius Melly spoke off the record)"},{"id":1397722,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397722/?format=json","text_counter":85,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Yes, Hon. Julius, bring an answer to the request for Statement in two weeks."},{"id":1397723,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397723/?format=json","text_counter":86,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Tinderet, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Julius Melly","speaker":null,"content":" Yes, we will."},{"id":1397724,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397724/?format=json","text_counter":87,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Next is Hon. Owen Baya, Member for Kilifi North."},{"id":1397725,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397725/?format=json","text_counter":88,"type":"heading","speaker_name":"","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"WITHHOLDING OF ACADEMIC CERTIFICATES BY SCHOOL HEADS"},{"id":1397726,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397726/?format=json","text_counter":89,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Kilifi North, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Owen Baya","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Speaker. In my capacity as the Member for Kilifi North, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education regarding withholding of academic certificates by principals in both public primary and secondary schools in the country. Most primary and secondary schools have withheld release examination certificates because of students’ failure to pay school fees and other dues, thus transforming the legal character of the certificates from documentary evidence of an individual’s academic performance to a debt instrument. Article 53(1)(b) of the Constitution entitles every child to the right to free and compulsory basic education while Article 55(a) of the Constitution obligates the State to take measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure access to relevant education and training by the youth. To this end, the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) was established to conduct examinations and award certificates to learners upon completion of every level, particularly primary and secondary education. Additionally, Section 10(1)(b) of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act, 2012 prohibits any institutions or persons from withholding KNEC certificates or diplomas from any candidates. Further, the Ministry of Education issued directives and guidelines requiring schools to promptly release academic certificates to students irrespective of any fees arrears. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"},{"id":1397727,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397727/?format=json","text_counter":90,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Kilifi North, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Owen Baya","speaker":null,"content":"Most students who are indebted to schools are from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds because their parents are unable to raise school fees. Withholding their examination certificates is equivalent to killing their future career prospects and dreams. It is sad that implementation of the law, directives and guidelines has been wanting over the years, depriving learners of rightful access to their academic certificates, thereby impeding their path to academic advancement. That withholding of examination certificates by school heads amounts to an abuse of power and lack of integrity. It goes without saying that education is the greatest equaliser in today’s society. Therefore, examination certificates should be released to examinees so as to allow them to join TVETs, colleges and universities to enable them to pursue higher learning and better their lives. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education on the following: 1. Could the Chairperson conduct an inquiry into the withholding of academic certificates by various school heads in the country contrary to Section 10(1)(b) of the Kenya National Examinations Council Act, 2012 and provide a report to the House, including recommendations for direct access to academic certificates by the students? 2. Could the Chairperson provide a report on the number of examination certificates being withheld in various schools in the country since 2012 and the reasons for their withholding? 3. Could the Kenya National Examinations Council consider leveraging on ICT by developing an alternative platform for examination registration and direct access to examination results and certificates by examinees? 4. Could the Chairperson recommend that the Kenya National Examinations Council recall all the examination certificates held by school heads in Kenya? 5. Could the Chairperson recommend that the Kenya National Examinations Council ensure that school heads act purely as agents of the Council and not abrogate their responsibilities by holding examinees to ransom? 6. Could the Chairperson recommend that the Kenya National Examinations Council open examination centres in every sub-county in Kenya and post examination officers to coordinate examinations, receive all results from KNEC once they are released and have all the examinees pick their examination certificates from the centres? Thank you, Hon. Speaker."},{"id":1397728,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397728/?format=json","text_counter":91,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"Thank you, Hon. Owen. Hon. Julius, bring the response to the request for Statement on the same day in two weeks."},{"id":1397729,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397729/?format=json","text_counter":92,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Tinderet, UDA","speaker_title":"Hon. Julius Melly","speaker":null,"content":" Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Considering that we are breaking for a recess, I seek your indulgence for a one-week extension. That is a weighty matter that requires sourcing information from various Government agencies such as KNEC and other offices."},{"id":1397730,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1397730/?format=json","text_counter":93,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Hon. Speaker","speaker_title":"","speaker":null,"content":"I will not accede to that. This is a very short recess and committees are busy working. They are not going on any recess. Get to the Ministry and bring the responses in two weeks."}]}