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Education & Skills Development
TOWARDS A GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE QUALIFICATION
SYSTEM IN KENYA
DR . ALICE KANDE
Examining the Role of Kenya National Qualifications Authority ( KNQA )
Development of National Qualifications Frameworks ( NQFs ) has become a world-wide phenomenon and continues to draw international interest not least in Sub-Saharan Africa , where Kenya has become a trail blazer in the effort to enhance quality and relevance of its education and training sector . The reasons for adoption and implementation of NQFs are many and varied . Most of the countries that have adopted a NQF are concerned with the poor articulation between qualifications and actual skills needs in the workplace ; need to rectify the poor credibility and quality of existing qualifications and training Programmes and lack of coherence and the rather fragmented nature of the qualifications system . The need for provision for recognition of nonformally acquired skills and facilitating integration of such skills into the formal system - where a large part of the population is evidently excluded from the formal education system or where there is a high number of school dropouts also creates an impetus for adoption of National Qualification Framework . The Frameworks , thus provide a basis for improving the quality , accessibility , linkages and labour market recognition of qualifications within a country and internationally .
Quality Education and Training is as vital as the dissemination of the supposed education itself at all levels . A country whose education and training standards are below par , results to poor values in its work force and lack of the required expertise . Every Educational and Training system or institution for that matter , requires an efficient and proper outline of quality assurance systems that guard the productivity , relevance and clarity in formulating and actualizing the stipulated missions , visions , goals and objectives . This should be in line with the country ’ s goals as well as the global goals of education and training . When Quality Assurance organs function well , the training bodies produce qualified personnel to fill the job markets nationally and internationally .
In Kenya , the National Qualifications Framework provides a system for the articulation , classification , registration , quality assurance , and monitoring and evaluation of national qualifications as developed in accordance with KNQF Act . It is underpinned by several national documents such as the Kenya Vision 2030 , the Big 4 Agenda , Sessional Paper No . 1 of 2019 , Medium Term 111 ( 2018 - 2022 ) among others - all of which underscore the need for quality , relevant and globally competitive qualifications for country ’ s development . These national development plans are also aligned to global development plans such as the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) and the AU Agenda 2063 that aim at ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong opportunities for all .
In the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community , the partner States – where Kenya is a member , adopted an explicit agreement to embark on concerted measures to foster cooperation in education and training in the Community , particularly , in harmonization of education and training systems in the endeavor to promote comparable and compatible qualifications among the partner States . The partner States agreed to co-ordinate their human resources development policies , programmes and also to harmonize curricula , examination , certification and accreditation of education systems and training institutions through the joint action of their relevant national accreditation organs .
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority , ( KNQA ), plays a significant role in harmonizing , coordinating and most importantly verifying the qualifications awarded by various institutions locally and internationally . This is done in line with meticulous keenness to detail in the structure of the education system and the manner in which the certification and credentials are given . The KNQF describes learning outcomes in form of knowledge , skills and competences gained at each level of the national education and training structure . In doing so , the Authority ensures maintenance of standards , quality and relevance at all levels of education and training sector in the country . The national framework has
EdSource Quarterly | Oct-Dec l 2021