TVET Principal Secretary Dr Esther Muoria has said that the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy will incorporate more inputs from all stakeholders before its rollout adding that the first graduation ceremony set for early October is on course.
Speaking at Jogoo House when she received a brief on review of the RPL policy from the Technical Committee set up by the Ministry of Education, Muoria said the Policy and guidelines will provide standards of assessing and certifying the skills and competencies acquired through experience.
“I appreciate the progress made by the Committee reviewing the implementation guidelines and Policy Framework on Recognition of Prior Learning steered by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) acting Director General Dr Alice Kande,” said Muoria.
“This will enable our skilled, but uncertified youths to be awarded certificates based on individual competencies expanding their opportunities in employment and advanced learning,” said added the PS.
The multi-sectoral committee has experts from International Labour Organisation (ILO), Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE), Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations, Council of Governors, Ministry of Education, NITA, and TVET CDACC among others and it is reviewing the policy that was developed by KNQA in 2021.
Kande thanked the technical Committee for the tireless commitment to the task stating that the policy will be applied to effectively coordinate and harmonize the national curriculum development approach to produce quality skilled human resources with the right attitude and values required in the emerging trends in the industry and for the growth and prosperity of the various sectors of the economy.
Kande added that collaboration between industry and academia can create a lively and receptive framework for offering advisory on market-driven courses.
“Industry experts possess real-world insights into the rapidly evolving market trends, skill demands, and emerging technologies. By actively engaging with academic institutions, these experts can provide valuable guidance on curriculum design, ensuring that courses align with the current and future needs of the job market,” said Kande.
She said, “With strong collaborations, the industry can provide real-world insights, expertise, and resources to enrich student’s learning experiences, ensuring their skills align with current market demands. In tandem with this, academia can contribute by tailoring curricula to meet industry needs, integrating theoretical knowledge with hands-on training.”
The Authority is set to Launch the RPL Policy and graduate the first RPL Cohort on 6th of October 2023.
The Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (PWPER), has since recommended the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and Credit Accumulation and Transfer Systems (CATS) in Kenya.
By Hamdi M. Buthul
