Universities and Colleges to Re-Register Programs As Crackdown on Fake Certificates Intensifies.
Universities and colleges will soon be required to register their academic programs with the national qualification body as part of efforts to eliminate the issue of fake academic certificates.
Under a policy adopted recently, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) will also require these institutions to upload graduate information into the Kenya National Learners Records Database (KNLRD), a national database for monitoring qualifications.
Alice Kande, the Director General of KNQA, explained that the database will facilitate employers and institutions in verifying the legitimacy of academic credentials, thereby reducing instances of fraudulent certifications.
She emphasized that this initiative will simplify the verification process for all stakeholders.
Current and New Accreditation Processes
Currently, universities must register their programs with the Commission for University Education (CUE) before they can teach the course.
The new policy, however, stipulates that academic institutions will now need approval from both the CUE and KNQA, ensuring an additional layer of scrutiny.
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According to Dr. Kande, the new accreditation system will manage the registration of institutions and their qualifications.
She highlighted that no certificate will be awarded unless the program has been pre-registered with KNQA. This initiative aligns with the Policy Framework for the Accreditation system on Qualifications, which is now in effect.
Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Validation
On September 27, during a validation workshop attended by representatives from education, government, industry, and international organizations, Kande detailed the importance of the new policy.
She pointed out that it is designed to harmonize accreditation processes across various educational sectors and ensure the credibility of Kenyan qualifications both locally and internationally.
In addition to standardizing qualifications, Kande noted that the policy will help address the gap between academic qualifications and industry requirements, creating a more relevant and competent workforce.
Dr. Esther Muoria, the Principal Secretary of TVET, expressed the government’s commitment to supporting the policy’s implementation.
She assured that resources would be allocated to ensure Kenyan qualifications meet international standards and are comparable to those from developed countries.
Universities and Colleges to Re-Register Programs As Crackdown on Fake Certificates Intensifies.
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