The government has registered 18 colleges as Qualifications Awarding Institutions (QAIs) granting them power to train and award certificates to learners, reports indicate.
The details are captured as part of achievements of the National Education Sector Strategic Plan (NESSP 2018-2022) which was made during the launch of new NESSP 2023-2027 at Kenya School of Government, Kabete in Nairobi by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.
In a press statement sent to news rooms, the report adds that during the period 2018-2022, a total of 1,281 Qualifications were registered in the National Qualifications Framework by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA).
“A total of 183 curricula were developed, 28 curriculum support material digitized, 102 trainers trained, 133 learning guides developed, 6,515 candidates assessed in 88 institutions, Learning Management System (LMS) developed, and Trainer of Trainers (ToT) CBET training materials digitized,” reads the report.
During the launch of the new NESSP 2023-2027 Machogu said: “I have no doubt that this Strategic Plan will ensure that we succeed in the delivery of this important education service. For, as they say, ‘if you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail.’ This well-done strategic plan is indeed a clear testimony that we will not fail to deliver robust and solid education programmes to our children and youth.”
According to KNQA Director General (DG) Dr. Alice Kande, the Vision 2030 and the Bottom-up Economy stress on the link between skills and competencies and the labour market to give an opportunity to the marginalized.
“It is prudent that we create opportunities for the youth to propel our nation to greater development. Aligning educational skills with job market demands not only produces academically qualified graduates but also equips them with practical competence,” read the statement.
This alignment, the statement added, fosters a responsive education system capable of adapting to the ever-evolving demands of the global economy.
Additionally, the Competence-Based Education and Training, underpinned by the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF), signifies a significant stride towards creating a more relevant, inclusive, and dynamic education system.
“By embracing these initiatives, we contribute not only to shaping the future of our learners but also to the overall development and prosperity of our nation,” said the DG in a statement.
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority is established under the KNQF Act Number 22 of 2014, with the mandate to coordinate and harmonize education, training, assessment, and quality assurance for all qualifications awarded in the Country.
Its overarching goal is to enhance quality and international comparability, and promote lifelong learning in addition to defining qualifications, their inter-relationships, and fostering international comparability.
The KNQF framework provides a transparent and structured platform for organizing and recognizing qualifications at various levels, facilitating seamless learner progression and recognition both nationally and internationally.
By Michael Omondi
