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 non-formally 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 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