The government has registered 18 colleges as Qualifications Awarding Institutions (QAIs), empowering them to train and award certificates to learners. This achievement, recorded as part of the National Education Sector Strategic Plan (NESSP 2018-2022), was announced during the launch of the new NESSP 2023-2027 at the Kenya School of Government, Kabete, in Nairobi by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu.
The NESSP 2018-2022 report highlights the registration of 1,281 qualifications in the National Qualifications Framework by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA). Over the same period, the education sector saw the development of 183 curricula, digitization of 28 curriculum support materials, training of 102 trainers, development of 133 learning guides, and assessment of 6,515 candidates across 88 institutions. Additionally, a Learning Management System (LMS) was developed, and Trainer of Trainers (ToT) CBET training materials were digitized.
At the launch of NESSP 2023-2027, Cabinet Secretary Machogu expressed confidence in the new strategic plan, stating, “I have no doubt that this Strategic Plan will ensure that we succeed in the delivery of this important education service. For, as they say, ‘if you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail.’ This well-done strategic plan is indeed a clear testimony that we will not fail to deliver robust and solid education programmes to our children and youth.”
KNQA Director General Dr. Alice Kande emphasized the importance of aligning educational skills with job market demands to provide opportunities for the marginalized, in line with Vision 2030 and the Bottom-up Economy. “It is prudent that we create opportunities for the youth to propel our nation to greater development. Aligning educational skills with job market demands not only produces academically qualified graduates but also equips them with practical competence,” Dr. Kande stated.
This alignment fosters a responsive education system capable of adapting to the ever-evolving demands of the global economy. The Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET), underpinned by the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF), marks a significant step towards creating a more relevant, inclusive, and dynamic education system.
“By embracing these initiatives, we contribute not only to shaping the future of our learners but also to the overall development and prosperity of our nation,” Dr. Kande added.
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority, established under the KNQF Act Number 22 of 2014, has the mandate to coordinate and harmonize education, training, assessment, and quality assurance for all qualifications awarded in the country. Its goals include enhancing quality, fostering international comparability, and promoting lifelong learning by defining qualifications and their inter-relationships.
The KNQF framework provides a transparent and structured platform for organizing and recognizing qualifications at various levels, facilitating seamless learner progression and recognition both nationally and internationally. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the quality and relevance of education in Kenya, ensuring that learners are well-prepared to meet the demands of the global labor market.
