The Nyeri National Polytechnic can now train, assess and award certificates to students independently.
This is after the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) awarded the institution the Qualification Awarding Institution Certification (QAI).
The certification which is an equivalent of a university charter also means that the polytechnic can now develop Competency Based Education and Training Curriculum (CBET) which can be used by other vocational training colleges to train and assess students.
Further, with the QAI, the polytechnic can now certify students who previously held government trade certificates.
Speaking during the awarding ceremony in Nyeri, Principal Secretary for Technical, Vocational Education and Training, Dr Esther Muoria termed the move as a game changer in vocational training.
According to the PS, the Nyeri National Polytechnic becomes the third institution nationally to receive the certification after Meru and Kenya Coast National polytechnics received theirs in March this year.
She at the same time noted that her department was working with other national polytechnics to ensure they all receive their QAI.
“Nyeri National Polytechnic has developed a battery of qualifications and skill sets that they are going to train and award certificates. What this means is that the other institutions can now also train in the qualifications that have been developed in this institution but when they graduate, those students will get a certificate of the Nyeri National Polytechnic,” said Dr Muoria.
“The certified polytechnics are continuing to develop these qualifications which, like I have said, will be offered across the country. From here, we are going to go on to Eldoret, Sigalagala and Kisumu until we have certified all our polytechnics,” added Dr Muoria.
There has been a push to have TVETs streamlined to ensure that they impart practical skills to learners and that the skills offered are relevant to the market demands.
Speaking during the ceremony, KNQA’s Acting Director General, Alice Kande said that the agency would ensure that qualifications offered by the TVETs meet the requirements of the Kenya National Qualification Framework.
She said that KNQA was also keen on ensuring that the qualifications offered are globally competitive and that those who graduate can get jobs in any part of the world.
“To eradicate unemployment, we need to skill the youth. The State department has been charged with the responsibility of producing these skilled youths. As an authority, we endeavour to ensure that the qualifications being offered by this institution not only meet the market demands but they are also globally competitive,” said Ms Kande.
According to the Nyeri National Polytechnic principal, Mr David Mwangi, the qualification certification will ensure that TVETs transition from the technology based curriculum to the skill based curriculum.
Previously, TVETs have been accused of infringing on the university model by becoming too theoretical and failing to offer enough practical experience to the learners.
Mr Mwangi said that the polytechnic has so far developed 19 curriculums in level V and level VI under the CBET programme, with each level recording enrollment of students.
Mwangi said they had additionally developed another 72 curriculums with 32 of the courses giving exemptions to students who have previous training in the area of expertise.
“The awarding of the certificate opens doors for those with technical skills but lack certification. A total of 32 areas that we have developed are recognizing prior learning and we are inviting the industry as well as the Jua kali sector so that they know that they can be certified where they have skills but they do not have the certificate,” he advised.
By Wangari Mwangi
