Education & Skills Development
37 therefore increased transparency and brought better coordination and harmony in the national education system .
With the implementation of the Kenya National Qualifications Framework , the country addresses key challenges that have previously bedeviled the education system including and not limited to the disconnect between qualifications and actual skills that required in the labour market ; production of fraudulent academic certificates ; incoherence and fragmentation of the qualification system ; and lack of a national database on Qualifications .
The KNQF as a learning outcome-based qualifications framework caters for all education and training sectors and all forms of learning including formal , non-formal and informal learning . The framework comprises ten qualification levels where each level has clearly defined level descriptors and learning outcomes . This ensures standardization of the requisite knowledge , skills and competencies that are expected in each level as well as minimum admission requirements and volume of learning . The key roles that KNQA is currently undertaking include :
A ) DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL POLICIES ON QUALITY ASSURANCE OF QUALIFICATIONS . The KNQF Act No 22 of 2014 gives KNQA the mandate to co-ordinate and supervise the development of policies on national qualifications in order to strengthen the national quality assurance system on Qualifications . It does this through establishment of Standards for recognizing qualifications that are obtained locally and from foreign institutions ; developing a system of competence , life-long learning and attainment of national qualifications ; aligning the qualifications obtained locally with the global benchmarks in order to promote national and trans-national mobility of workers ; and facilitating mobility and progression within education , training and career paths . The Authority collaborates with the Education sector regulators , Qualification Awarding Institutions and other sector players to ensure effective implementation of the national qualifications framework and enhanced internal quality assurance mechanisms .
B ) REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION OF QUALIFICATIONS AND QUALIFICATION AWARDING INSTITUTIONS KNQA accredits the qualifications awarding institutions and registers their respective qualifications in the National Qualifications Framework . There are obligatory protocols and measures that are put in place that must be met before any education and training institution is accredited . This ensures that only credible institutions offer education and training , and certify graduates upon completion of the course .
C ) RECOGNITION , EQUATION AND VERIFICATION OF QUALIFICATIONS The KNQA verifies , equates and recognizes certificates that are acquired locally and internationally . In doing this , the Authority ensures that qualifications and part qualifications offered by local and foreign awarding bodies are credible and in line with the KNQF Act . To enhance effectiveness of its processes , KNQA has developed a Kenya National Recognition , Equation and Verification ( KNREV ) portal that allows for online application and processing of REV applications . The system further allows for identification of fake and fraudulent certificates .
D ) ESTABLISHMENT OF A LEARNERS RECORDS DATABASE KNQA has developed a National Qualifications Management Information System ( NAQMIS ) that automates the process of accreditation , registration of qualifications , uploading of graduates records to the Kenya National Leaners Records database ( KNLRD ) and verification of qualifications . This has resulted to increased efficiency and effectiveness to a process that was previously manual and characterized by various inherent problems associated
with manual processes . With the System in place , stakeholders can easily access information on various aspects of Qualifications in the Country .
E ) RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING Over the last two years , the Government has been implementing reforms aimed at promoting access and equity in education and training . One imperative reform is establishment of an alternative and flexible pathway by recognizing experiential learning . The Authority is mandated to provide for the recognition of attainment or competencies including skills , knowledge , attitudes and values through Recognition of Prior Learning ( RPL ) process . During the Country ’ s Jamhuri day celebration on 1st June 2021 , his Excellency the President issued a directive that the Ministry of Education , through the Kenya National Qualifications Authority should issue a policy framework for comprehensive recognition of prior learning . This policy intervention is expected to expand the opportunities for individuals in various sectors to participate more meaningfully in the economy by making visible and certifying their skills and competencies .
Conclusion : As the country leapfrogs towards achievement of Vision 2030 , there is no doubt that the Kenya National Qualifications Authority is contributing greatly towards creating a globally competitive and adaptive human resource base that meet the requirements of a rapidly industrializing economy by enhancing access , relevance and quality of education and training in the country .
Dr . Alice Kande is the Deputy Director -- Planning , Research , Outreach & Policy at KNQA
EdSource Quarterly | Oct-Dec l 2021