Release pupils’ certificates or face disciplinary action, DP William Ruto tells school heads

DP William Ruto says the Government will continue to monitor the recently introduced school fees guidelines with a view to ensuring that schools stick to the recommendations. (Photo:File/Standard)

Deputy President William Ruto has told school principals still withholding certificates of pupils with fees arrears to release them or face disciplinary action.

Ruto warned principals ignoring the directive claiming that it was a roadside matter that they will be in for a rude shock.

“It seems there is a lot of impunity in some schools that some principals and boards of governors are denying pupils with fees arrears their certificates,” he said.

“I am giving school managements another chance to release the certificates as there is no law which says schools should withhold certificates of pupils with fees arrears,” added Ruto.

The Deputy President said the Government would take stern action against schools which withhold such certificates saying they were denying the pupils the opportunity to progress in life.

“We are going to take stern action against schools which continue to withhold certificates of pupils with fees arrears because it is the right for pupils to have their papers,” said Ruto.

Addressing residents at St. Arnesens secondary school grounds in Uasin-Gishu County during an inter-denominational churches meeting on Sunday, the Deputy President said he is committed to ensuring education for all pupils irrespective of their family backgrounds.

The Deputy President was accompanied by Governor Jackson Mandago (Uasin-Gishu), Senator Isaac Melly (Uasin-Gishu) and MPs Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi) and James Bett (Kesses).

Ruto said the Government will continue to monitor the recently introduced school fees guidelines with a view to ensuring that schools stick to the recommendations.

The Deputy President noted that the Government has disbursed a lot of resources to schools towards the development of education and urged schools managers to use them well.

“We don’t expect day schools for example to charge fees of more than Sh10,000 and yet we are paying such schools Sh13,000 for every pupil,” said the Deputy President.

Preaching peace

The Deputy President also lauded the role played by churches in preaching peace in the country.

“I must say I am impressed by unity of churches in preaching peace and unity among all Kenyan communities. We should always regard one another as brothers and sisters,” said Ruto.

On health, the Deputy President said the Government will upgrade two health facilities in every county to the level of referral hospitals to relieve Kenyans the problems of travelling areas away from their counties in search of medical services.

He wondered why some leaders were opposed to such development initiatives saying leaders should not view such projects in terms of who has won the tender to carry out such activities.

“We have up to Sh350 million for each health facility to be upgraded to the level five and four similar to the referral ones well equipped with ICU, scanning center as well kidney as well as cancer treatment facilities among others,” said Ruto.

“There is no need for some leaders to oppose these kind of project simply because of who has been awarded contract to work on such facilities. These projects are for the benefit of the people and nothing else,” he added.

The Deputy President said the Jubilee administration has resolved to bring together all parties affiliated to it under the newly formed Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP).

The MPs vowed to enact a legislation to ensure the management of CDF remained with them.

“We will make it a law for CDF to be under the management of MPs,” said Chepkonga.

Melly urged the Government to ensure owners of public vehicles reduced the costs of transport following the reduction of fuel prices recently.

“There is no need for mwananchi to continue paying a lot of money as transport costs and yet fuel prices have been reduced. Public transport costs should also be reduced,” said Melly.

Governor Mandago said leaders and residents in the area have welcomed the newly formed JAP saying it was the only way to make the alliance stronger ahead of the next general election.

He also hit out at decision by Parliament to deny them the title ‘His Excellency’ urging the MPs to engage in more meaningful matters instead of engaging in political witch-hunting.

“There are better things that MPs can engage in other than titles for governors or MCAs,” said Mandago.