KNQA Registration Now Mandatory for Varsities Issuing Certificates, States PS Muoria.
The government has mandated all higher education institutions across Kenya to register their qualifications with the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), warning that institutions lacking registration will be barred from issuing certificates.
This directive will be enforced under the Policy Framework for the Accreditation System on Qualifications, which outlines the process for institutions to follow.
According to TVET Principal Secretary Dr. Esther Muoria, the accreditation system will be governed by the Kenya National Learners Records Database (KNLRD).
The system will regulate the registration of awarding institutions and their qualifications while maintaining a national database of qualifications.
This initiative aims to curb the issuance of fraudulent certifications by ensuring that only registered institutions can confer qualifications.
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Dr. Muoria highlighted the implementation of this framework during a workshop held in Machakos County to develop standards and guidelines for the accreditation of qualifications.
She emphasized that the system would ensure institutions only onboard their qualifications after being certified as Qualification Awarding Institutions (QAIs) by KNQA.
Onboarding Institutions and Eliminating Fraud
Currently, more than 30 higher education institutions, including universities, have onboarded their qualifications into the KNLRD.
The process of onboarding aims to combat the prevalence of fake and fraudulent qualifications, ensuring only accredited institutions are recognized.
Dr. Muoria acknowledged the vital role played by regulators in the education sector, such as the TVET Authority (TVETA) and the Commission for University Education (CUE), in supporting the accreditation initiative.
She stated that accreditation and registration of qualifications are essential components of a robust education system.
This process ensures that qualifications are recognized both nationally and internationally, providing assurance to learners, employers, and educational institutions that the skills and knowledge being developed are relevant and of high quality.
Dr. Muoria expressed her appreciation for the collaborative efforts within the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF), from basic to university education.
She emphasized that this collective responsibility will contribute to the country’s goal of achieving harmonized education and globally competitive qualifications.
Collaboration and National Policy
The PS reiterated her full support for the initiative, noting its importance in improving the quality of education in the country.
She encouraged stakeholders to capitalize on their strengths and unique contributions as part of the government’s broader approach to developing and implementing key national policy documents.
KNQA Director General Dr. Alice Kande stated that the Authority is working with various stakeholders to ensure that qualifications in the labor market meet industry demands. She noted that universities have shown significant interest in registering their qualifications as QAIs in the portal.
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Dr. Kande also emphasized the need for awareness creation about the importance of registering qualifications in the system. She reassured Kenyans that the data being uploaded complies with the Data Protection Act, ensuring its security and reliability.
KNQA is implementing the National Qualifications Information Management System (NAQIMS) to create an accurate and reliable database of all qualifications in the country. This system will facilitate comparability and information sharing within the education sector both locally and globally.
KNQA Registration Now Mandatory for Varsities Issuing Certificates, States PS Muoria
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