By Dr. Alice Kande
Partnership and collaboration in development and maintenance of a multifaced Qualifications Framework (QF) at Country, regional and continental levels is very crucial for education and labour sector.
This dynamic framework serves as a beacon addressing critical areas in the qualification landscape with remarkable precision as it facilitates mobility and recognition, both nationally and internationally, fostering a globally competitive workforce.
It is for this reason that the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) values its partnership with pertinent players in the regional and continental space such as the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member states and all the countries within the umbrella of the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) which is an instrument of continental scope to deliver on the objectives of enhanced transparency and comparability of qualifications and mutual trust between qualifications frameworks and systems for lifelong learning in Africa..
KNQA therefore plays a pivotal role in Kenya’s educational landscape by coordinating and harmonizing qualifications sub-frameworks. KNQA ensures accessibility, equity, and global mobility of qualifications and skills through strategic partnerships with regional and international bodies.
For the last one week, a team of experts from the Authority led by Council Chairperson Stanley Kiptis, Director General Dr. Alice Kande, Ministry of Education officials and National Assembly’s Education Committee Chairman Hon. Julius Melly were in South Africa to learn about the best practices from SAQA.
It is important to note that KNQA’s proactive approach in benchmarking best practices and capacity building has positioned it as an example in the region.
As a co-facilitator during the benchmarking visit, KNQA, established in 2015, has made significant strides towards harmonising qualifications and fostering quality, relevance, transparency and visibility of credible qualifications , serving as a practical example for IGAD Member States aspiring to enhance their qualifications frameworks under the IGAD Qualifications Framework (IGADQF) initiative.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which encompasses eight Member States in the Horn of Africa with a population exceeding 300 million, faces significant challenges in providing equitable and quality education, particularly for marginalized groups such as refugees and internally displaced persons.
Education stands as a cornerstone for sustainable development within IGAD, with Qualifications Frameworks (QFs) emerging as vital tools to ensure educational quality, relevance, and mobility of qualifications across borders to advance regional integration.
Aligned with global trends and regional imperatives, IGAD, in collaboration with key partners including the Government of Germany through GIZ, UNESCO, and ECW, has embarked on developing the IGAD Regional Qualifications Framework (IGADQF).
This framework seeks to facilitate the recognition of qualifications, harmonizing with national frameworks across the region. Ministerial endorsement in May 2024 underscores the IGADQF’s role as a meta-framework for enhancing educational governance, quality assurance, and capacity development.
Kenya’s pivotal role in this initiative, driven by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), highlights its leadership in advancing the IGADQF, particularly in championing Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and setting a precedent for regional integration and educational excellence.
Therefore, this learning and knowledge exchange visit to SAQA, was aimed at sharing best practices and leverage on SAQA’s experience implementing a QF within the context of a regional qualifications’ framework.
Through strategic partnerships with regional and international bodies, including SAQA, KNQA continues to benchmark best practices and enhance its capacity to support the IGADQF.
Established in 1995, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) stands as a global leader in the implementation of qualifications frameworks, particularly within the South African Development Community (SADC).
SAQA’s extensive experience spans the integration of general education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), higher education, and lifelong learning into a unified framework. This comprehensive approach has positioned SAQA as an example, offering invaluable insights and best practices for IGAD Member States. By showcasing successful strategies and addressing challenges encountered in their framework implementation, SAQA will co-facilitate the learning exchange visit, guiding IGAD stakeholders towards aligning their educational systems with international standards.
Therefore, by leveraging the expertise of SAQA and KNQA as co-facilitators and examples, the learning exchange will cultivate capacity-building opportunities, foster actionable insights and strategies for effective implementation and operationalization of the IGADQF, thereby promoting regional integration and educational excellence.
The learning exchange represented a significant stride towards harmonising qualifications within the IGAD region, catalyzing regional integration and operationalising the IGADQF. It also underscored IGAD’s commitment to leveraging education as a catalyst for sustainable development and fostering collaboration among Member States and regional stakeholders.
KNQA stands at the frontline, methodically shaping the nation’s education narrative.
As the custodian of qualifications, KNQA operates as a central force, orchestrating rigorous standards, ensuring above reproach quality and facilitating the recognition of diverse learning achievements across myriad pathways. The Authority functions as the epicentre, streamlining and fortifying the educational ecosystem to empower Kenyans with knowledge, skills and qualifications essential for success in a dynamic job market.
The framework aligns qualifications with the pulsating needs of the labour market, a strategic move contributing to the cultivation of a skilled and adaptable workforce enabling employers to benefit from enhanced understanding of potential employees’ qualifications.
Furthermore, the QF serves as a catalyst for articulation and transfers, promoting smooth transitions between different educational and training pathways.
Its flexibility accommodates diverse qualification types, including academic, vocational and professional, contributing to a comprehensive and inclusive educational landscape.
The transparent structure of the framework simplifies decision making for individuals, employers and educational institutions, enhancing clarity and promoting informed choices regarding educational and career pathways.
In conclusion, KNQA will continue to partner with organisations and Agencies in having qualifications that are both nationally and internationally recognised and foster a globally competitive workforce.
The writer is the Director General of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). Email: directorgeneral@knqa.go.ke