In a significant move to enhance the quality and integrity of national qualifications, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) launched a comprehensive five-year strategic plan on July 5, 2024.
The event, held at the Westwood Hotel in Nairobi, was marked by speeches from key figures including TVET Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Muoria who represented Education CS Ezekiel Machogu, the KNQA Director General Dr. Alice Kande and the Chairperson of the KNQA Council, Hon. Stanley Kiptis.
The new strategic plan, developed through extensive collaboration and analysis, aims to guide KNQA’s operations from 2023/2024 to 2027/2028. It focuses on five key areas: developing a National Qualifications Database, advancing research and national policies, registering qualifications awarding institutions, promoting learner mobility and progression, and strengthening institutional capacity.
In her remarks TVET Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Muoria representing Education CS Ezekiel Machogu emphasized the strategic plan’s alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area’s protocol on education.
She highlighted the plan’s role in fostering a skilled, competent, and globally recognized workforce. The plan also addresses emerging job opportunities identified by the World Economic Forum in fields such as data and artificial intelligence, the green economy, and engineering.
The PS underscored the collaborative effort behind the plan, thanking partners and stakeholders for their contributions. He noted the KNQA’s achievements under the previous strategic plan, including the implementation of the National Qualifications Framework and the development of key policies such as the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy and the National Credits Accumulation and Transfer Policy.
The Director General of KNQA Alice Kande highlighted the plan’s emphasis on responsiveness, innovation, and operational excellence. He pointed out the significant achievements from the previous plan, including the establishment of the Kenya National Qualifications Framework and the successful rollout of the RPL policy. The RPL policy is particularly significant for recognizing diverse skills and competencies, especially among the youth and marginalized communities, including refugees. Over 900 individuals have been assessed under the RPL policy, with plans to assess 10,000 more annually.
Moreover she announced the launch of the National Policy on Credit Accumulation and Transfer System, which facilitates credit transfers and mobility across education levels. She emphasized the strategic plan’s alignment with national and international frameworks, such as Kenya Vision 2030, the African Union Agenda 2063, and the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
Hon. Stanley Kiptis, Chairperson of the KNQA Council, underscored the strategic plan’s goal of enhancing the quality, credibility, and global competitiveness of national qualifications. He acknowledged the unwavering support from the Kenyan government, particularly from His Excellency the President and the Ministry of Education. The strategic plan aligns with the Bottom-Up Transformational Agenda, ensuring the relevance and quality of national qualifications.
Kiptis recognized key partners, including the International Labour Organization, the International Rescue Committee, and Colleges and Institutes Canada through the Mastercard Foundation, for their technical and financial support. He highlighted the importance of collaboration with universities, TVET institutions, and other stakeholders in the qualifications landscape.
The launch of the 2023/2024-2027/2028 strategic plan marks a significant step towards enhancing the quality and relevance of qualifications in Kenya. KNQA’s efforts have positioned Kenya as a regional leader in quality education and skills acquisition, contributing to the development of the African Continental Qualifications Frameworks. The strategic plan promises to enhance employability, portability, and comparability of qualifications, fostering national and transnational mobility of workers and advancing Kenya towards greater prosperity and global competitiveness