Universities, colleges to re-register academic programs in fight against fake certificates

Dr Alice Kande, Director General of Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) during release of CHRP & RCHRP examinations results. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

Universities and colleges will soon need to register their academic programs with the qualification body as it takes steps to eradicate fake academic papers.

In a policy adopted on Friday, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) will also need the institutions to upload graduate details to a national database which is dubbed the Kenya National Learners Records Database (KNLRD).

Alice Kande, the Director General of KNQA, said the database will make it easier for employers and institutions to verify the authenticity of qualifications, reducing instances of fraudulent certifications.

Currently, universities are required to register their programs with the Commission for University Education (CUE), the regulator, and await for their accreditation before they can start teaching the program.

The new policy will mean that the institutions will now need both approval of the CUE and the KNQA.

Dr Alice Kande, the Director General of KNQA, stated that the accreditation system will oversee the registration process for educational institutions and their qualifications.

"The Authority is keen to ensure that going forward, no certificate will be conferred without prior registration by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) through implementing the Policy Framework for the Accreditation system on Qualifications," Kande said.

She spoke during a validation workshop on September 27 bringing together stakeholders from various sectors, including education, government, industry, and international organizations.

The policy, spearheaded by the KNQA, aims to harmonize accreditation processes across all education sectors.

Kande noted that the policy will ensure that Kenyan qualifications are recognized and respected both domestically and internationally.

She added that the policy is also expected to help bridge the gap between academic achievements and industry demands.

TVET, Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Muoria, said the government is committed to supporting the implementation of this framework to ensure Kenyan qualifications are on par with those from developed countries.

Dr Muoria further said that the government will provide the necessary resources for its successful implementation.