Recognition of prior learning among education reforms

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

The government has lined up a number of reforms that will redefine the education sector to meet the national economic agenda.

Among these is review of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy framework. Education experts have for the last one week been refining the document ahead of its launch in October.

Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) acting Director General Dr Alice Kande said that during the launch, the first graduation of pioneer RPL students will also be conducted.

Dr Kande said that the experts refining the document are drawn from Ministry of Education, KNQA, National Industrial Training Institute (NITA), Technical Vocational Education Training Authority (TVETA) and the Council of Governors.

She said experts have also been refining RPL implementation guidelines, RPL tools and instruments.

Principal Secretary, State Department for TVET Dr Esther Muoria said RPL is in line with the new National Economic Agenda - the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)and will enable students to adapt to the fast changing world.

Muoria in a speech read by the Director of Technical Education said the reforms will better the future of the students challenging players in the sector to dwell on the diversity.

"We are looking at the need for a greener future, the recent adoption of the BETA, and the global demands for occupational Skills, as key stakeholders of the qualification systems and educators, we must understand that knowledge is not confined to the walls of a classroom or the pages of a textbook," Dr Muoria.

PS Muoria, noting the positive impact in their test of the policies and framework, said they are eyeing on harbouring inclusivity and innovation to attain sustainability in future.

"So far, we have the policies and frameworks in place and now, we have the feedback after putting the policies to test. Now it is time to incorporate the findings and make the tools appropriate to address the emerging global trends and keep it aligned to the anticipated changes," said Dr Muoria.

In a report released earlier, the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (PWPER) cleared the path for the implementation of RPL citing the need to create more awareness on the same.

"We recommend the development of a framework for linkages among TVETs to remove duplications and create centres of excellence based on niche," read the statement to the president.

RPL framework is set to address the perennial inequalities experienced in the employment opportunities by early recognition of the skills and developing career paths.

According to Kenya National Qualification Framework (KNQF), through the framework, students will have space to realize and actualise their potentials indoors and outdoors and make them useful in developing the community.

AT the same time the team said that they are welcoming views from all the stakeholders and Kenyans at large to help in developing the best and reliable reforms.

"In view of the above and compliance with Article 10 of the Kenyan Constitution, Kenya National Qualifications Authority invites members of the public, stakeholders and organizations to submit any comments, views or make presentations regarding the proposed KNQF draft Regulations, 2023," reads the public notice.