Education stakeholders seek to streamline recognition of prior learning

 Kenya National Qualifications Authority Chief Executive Officer Alice Kande addresses a past function. [File, Standard]

Education stakeholders drawn from African, policy makers, and practitioners have converged in Nairobi to discuss innovative ways of bridging the skills gap across the continent.

The four-day forum that starts Tuesday, will delve into practical matters, such as the quality assurance of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and the referencing of national qualifications frameworks (NQFs).

Hosted by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) in partnership with the African Union, the 3rd African Continental Qualifications Forum will also focus on a transformative concept.

The ACQF strives to facilitate professional mobility across the continent, reduce unemployment, and enhance economic integration.

KNQA Chief Executive Officer Alice Kande said beyond professional mobility, RPL plays a crucial role in Africa’s long-term vision.

“The forum will align its goals with Agenda 2063, a strategic framework of the African Union aimed at transforming the continent into a global powerhouse,” said Dr Kande.

She revealed that the forum will focus on how RPL can support lifelong learning, regional integration, and youth development.

“For many African professionals, their skills and knowledge are not only obtained in formal educational settings but through experience, self-learning, and practical application,” Dr Kande said adding that RPL is a tool that allows individuals to have their skills formally recognised, paving the way for new career opportunities and professional mobility.
She further said the forum aims to build momentum towards a harmonised qualification framework across Africa.

“We are living in a time frame  where people need to be empowered by the skills they already have. This forum is not just about policy, it's about giving individuals the recognition they deserve. Kenya has been a trailblazer in this field, and we’re proud to host such a critical conversation,” she said.

The KNQA boss reiterated that, with Africa undergoing rapid digitalisation, economic shifts, and the challenges brought by Covid-19, the need to recognise and harness existing skills is more urgent than ever.

“The Nairobi forum will offer an opportunity for attendees to exchange best practices and build on the shared vision of making skills and knowledge truly borderless across Africa. We are not just meeting to discuss RPL; we are crafting the future of work and education in Africa,” she said.

Dr Fatma Belhadj, a senior policy officer with African Union, emphasized that recognising skills learned through life experience rather than formal education is vital for the economic and social growth of the continent.

“We need to move away from the idea that learning only happens in classrooms. With RPL, we are acknowledging the real world skills and competencies that are fueling Africa's workforce,” said Dr Belhadj.

John Mugisha, an RPL practitioner from Uganda, said that the referencing process is critical, allowing for a standardised comparison of qualifications across borders.

“This is more than just a workshop. It’s a step towards breaking barriers for millions of Africans. Through RPL, we’re saying that every experience counts, and that’s an empowering message,” said Mugisha.

With participants from 20 African countries and four economic regions, the forum is part of a broader initiative under the ACQF, an ambitious project designed to streamline the recognition of qualifications across Africa.