National Database To Curb Fake Certificate Crisis, Says Govt
The government is implementing reforms in the education and training sectors to stop the proliferation of fake academic and professional certificates.
These reforms aim to enhance the quality and integrity of qualifications while facilitating the seamless matching of skilled individuals with job opportunities, bolstering Kenya’s workforce and economy.
Esther Muoria, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, emphasized the need for a comprehensive database to centralize all qualifications.
During stakeholders’ validation of the National Policy Framework Accreditation System in Machakos County, she mentioned that in the future, any certificate issued by institutions of higher learning must be approved by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA).
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According to Muoria, the establishment of a national accreditation system aligns with these reforms. Moving forward, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority will require prior registration before conferring any certificate.
Once implemented, she explained, the system will govern the registration of awarding institutions and their respective qualifications.
The PS noted that this commitment upholds credibility and excellence as paramount principles.
She mentioned that this initiative will profoundly impact the promotion of lifelong learning and the adoption of global best practices, aligning efforts with internationally recognized standards.
Muoria challenged institutions to implement well-developed frameworks in their respective areas, ensuring a sustainable impact and promoting the mobility of skills and labor in the region.
She also noted that the Recognition for Prior Learning is here to bridge the gap and provide inclusivity, stating that certificates are not only necessary for job security and labor export, but also evidence of an individual’s skills.
This comes as the government intensifies efforts to address the prevalence of fraudulent certificates in the job market. Investigative agencies have flagged about 2,000 government officers with fake academic certificates.
Alice Kande, Director General of KNQA, emphasized the significance of the Kenya National Learners Records Database in combating fraudulent certifications and providing employers with easy access to a qualified workforce.
Kande stated that the Kenya National Learners Records Database will govern the registration process for awarding institutions and their qualifications, as well as establish a comprehensive national qualifications database to combat fraudulent certifications.
KNQA also noted that plans were underway to review relevant acts and regulations to streamline operations and eliminate overlaps among regulatory bodies in the education sector.
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This includes harmonizing National Occupation Standards and developing competency-based curricula to meet industrial demands.
Kande emphasized that the KNQA assumes the overarching regulatory role within the qualifications system, bringing together institutions that award qualifications, both within and outside the education and training sectors.
National Database To Curb Fake Certificate Crisis, Says Govt
