DCI to Store Student Crime Records for Future Good Conduct Vetting.
The Government has warned students across all levels of education that criminal offences committed during their school years may remain on record and affect future applications for Police Clearance Certificates, commonly known as Certificates of Good Conduct.
In a notice issued on June 14, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura stated that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is archiving and consolidating records of students involved in criminal activities, regardless of their level of education.
According to the notice, the records will cover students in primary schools, secondary schools, colleges, and universities who are implicated in criminal offences.
“This is to warn every student from primary school, secondary school, college, and university that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is archiving and consolidating charges that may be preferred against each and every student involved in any crime,” the notice stated.
The advisory indicated that criminal records associated with students will be retained and may be considered during future vetting processes, particularly when individuals apply for Police Clearance Certificates.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations noted that records of offences will not automatically cease to exist because a matter has been concluded, forgotten, or not prosecuted in court. Instead, such information may be retained within the criminal records system and reflected during future background checks.
The notice further stated that offences committed by students could automatically appear on Police Clearance Certificates when affected individuals apply for the document later in life.
“Let Each Student Be Informed That It Will Automatically Be Reflected On The Police Clearance Certificate (CERTIFICATE OF GOOD CONDUCT) when such a student applies for one,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations stated.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations identified several categories of offences that may be captured in student records. These include armed demonstrations, unpeaceful demonstrations, arson, drug-related offences, cyberbullying, assault of any degree, drunkenness, and other reported criminal activities.
According to the notice, the records may have long-term implications for affected individuals seeking employment opportunities that require police clearance and character vetting.
“This will be a permanent criminal mark that will bar many students from achieving their goals, as no employer of worth will dare employ such characters,” the Directorate of Criminal Investigations added.
The agency also called upon parents, guardians, teachers, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to guide students and discourage involvement in criminal activities.
The advisory was issued amid ongoing concerns over student unrest and school-related incidents across the country. Recent cases have included a series of school fires, including the fire at Utumishi Girls Academy that resulted in the deaths of 16 students. Authorities have reported that nine suspects are currently in custody in connection with the incident.
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Data from the Ministry of Education indicates that at least 71 boarding schools have been closed following incidents linked to student unrest, arson attacks, and security concerns. The Ministry further reported that learning activities have been disrupted in 204 schools nationwide to varying degrees as authorities continue to address the situation.
The Government maintained that criminal conduct by students may carry long-term consequences beyond the school environment and reiterated the importance of compliance with the law at all levels of education.
DCI to Store Student Crime Records for Future Good Conduct Vetting.
