The implementation of Recognition of Prior learning Policy (RPL) will be crucial in addressing the problem of fake and academic fraudulent certificates in the county.
Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) acting Director General Dr Alice Kande says all candidates will now be able to be certified based on their skills and competencies at all levels of qualifications.
“We strongly believe that we will not see more people using shortcuts to cut certifications as the RPL policy provides for a clear mechanism on how one to acquire a certificate be it in informal or formal sector,” said Dr Kande.
She says the policy is a bridge to facilitate transition from informality to formality as well as facilitating multi-entry/exit between the education system and the labour market and will open up a bountiful frontier of new opportunities for the millions of Hustlers who are the lifeblood of the Kenyan economy.
“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 Dr Kande.
The development is also a major win for hundreds of learners who had completed their assessment and were awaiting graduation.
Dr Kande says the development of the Kenya Credit Accumulation and Transfer (KCAT) system policy in the Country which is at its tail end will also address the issue of fraudulent certificates in the country.
“The policy will facilitate linkages, credit transfers and exemptions and a vertical and horizontal mobility at all levels of learning to enable entry, re-entry, and exit,” said Dr Kande.
Participants during the planning meeting welcome the approval of the policy and promised to work hard towards its realization for the benefits of Kenyans.
The launch of the policy set for March will also see hundreds of candidates graduate in the event set to be presided over by the top leadership of the government.
The Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (PWPER), recommended the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and Credit Accumulation and Transfer Systems (CATS) in Kenya.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), is the process used to identify, assess and certify an individual’s knowledge, skills and competencies against prescribed standards or learning outcomes regardless of when, where and how they were acquired.
A report by the Public Service Commission (PSC), indicate that more than 2,000 public servants are in possession of forged academic and professional qualifications with the most affected ministries being; Interior and Energy, along with notable parastatals such as Kenyatta National Hospital and several public universities.