Currently, Kenya is one of the very few Eastern African Countries with a fully-fledged National Qualifications Framework recognized beyond the region.
The Framework combines basic Education, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, University Education, Industrial Training, and Lifelong learning.
Recognition of Prior Learning(RPL) is already a significant tool in TVET, industrial training, and lifelong learning as an agent that will bring equitable recognition and inclusion in skills and qualifications.
RPL is when a higher education institution recognises what you already know, understand and can do before, for example, starting on a programme or module. This eliminates the duplication of learning, meaning you don't have to relearn things you already know.
The Ministry of Education through the Kenya National
Qualifications Authority (KNQA), in collaboration with key stakeholders and
relevant state departments, has been at the forefront since the inception of
RPL and is now, at its implementation stage, in ensuring a reputable and
sustainable process, with lots of track milestones so far.
Kenya’s
proactive enactment of RPL is a major step toward formalizing informal skills,
with positive ramifications for the Kenyan Economy, specifically the labor
market.
It has been a key achievement for KNQA. It is evident globally that RPL is gaining quick traction, especially in Africa as countries have now realized the value that sits in upskilling, reskilling, and keenness on hands-on experience for a workforce.
To this effect, to ensure full benefit to the RPL beneficiaries and candidates, a tailor-made Credit Accumulation Transfer System (KCATs) has been developed to facilitate the determination of credits assignable to nonformal and or informal learning acquired through productive work and experiences gathered in the process.
The world currently recognizes that learning does not take place in the formal setup only. Elon Musk, a renowned technocrat, recently remarked on the importance of looking away from the systematic systems of going to college for a degree, instead of investing more in hands-on skills.
In his words, “What is the point
of having graduates all over the world, with no technicians, no plumbers, no
mechanics or artisans? Why has a labor market with theory knowledge and zero
skills?”
In 2017, Nepal’s Enhanced Vocational Education and Training Project sponsored skills tests with a focus on RPL, leading to the assessment of over 28,0000 workers. Currently, Nepal’s skilled workforce is a benchmark for most developing countries in the world.
South Africa is currently admitting RPL certificate holders to higher education institutions to take care of those who face educational discrimination. Kenya plucked a leaf here, and at the moment, the implementation of RPL has been rolling at a steady speed.
To cement RPL further, Kenya is collaborating with key
RPL players in Africa. This is done through KNQA which plays
a crucial role in advancing the African Continental Qualifications Framework
(ACQF).
As Kenya positions itself to co-lead the implementation of ACQF alongside the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and Angola’s National Qualifications Agency, KNQA brings its expertise in establishing robust qualification systems and policies, RPL being one of the policies.
As part of the collaboration between KNQA, SAQA, and Angola’s National Qualifications Agency in implementing the ACQF, a key focus is the integration and advancement of RPL systems. This is a clear indication that Kenya is bracing itself for future labor market demands, and its tailoring qualifications to fit into the needs of the region, continent, and the rest of the world.
In October, this year, KNQA hosted the 3rd ACQF Forum of RPL Practitioners. The event was attended by representatives from 20 African Countries, and the key emphasis was on Kenya’s leadership in RPL initiatives in East Africa and the continent.
It is prevalent that ACQF in collaboration with KNQA is playing a fundamental role in shaping and advancing the implementation of RPL not just in Kenya but also in the rest of Africa.
We are looking at harmonized qualifications that can enhance the portability of skills and qualifications across borders thus fostering regional integration and mobility. ACQF is also keen on the training of practitioners for the fluid development of national policies, methodologies, and RPL tools, besides facilitating regional and continental collaboration in RPL.
By advocating for policies that are inclusive and promote equity, marginalized groups like refugees, women, and informal sector workers are benefiting greatly from RPL. The informal sector in Kenya employs over 83% of the workforce.
Early this year, over 900 artisans received their certification after undergoing the RPL process, during the official launch. The National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) accessed and certified over 120 employees of Base Titanium in Kwale County.
Base Titanium exemplifies the effective implementation in this country, hence serving as an example as an employer for other RPL stakeholders. The goal is to have a workforce that is inclusive, competent, and equipped with esteem through the acquired credentials.
RPL hopes to enhance access to higher learning, especially for marginalised groups and those disadvantaged in one way or the other. The government of Kenya has been steadfast in providing support for the entire implementation process since RPL resonates well with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which aims at uplifting marginalized groups, the informal sector, and low-income earners.
Kenya’s Socio-economic growth largely depends on the effectiveness and quality of the Country’s Human Resource Development. A skilled labor force is the bridge that connects Economic Growth in the country to Social development.
To take care of the severe shortage of quality and relevantly skilled workforce, RPL takes a swing as a key tool in this. The 92% of Kenyan youths with unrecognized competencies will be reduced to half by the time RPL is fully in play.
The formal education systems and training continue to face challenges due to their rigid systems and broad scope of courses, as the workplace continues morphing towards highly specialized arrow skills for effectiveness.
The ability to certify individuals irrespective of how, where, and when they got the experiences, but can demonstrate the skills, provides a unique Kenyan context of education and it spills over to the rest of Africa.
The future of RPL is poised to undergo a transformative evolution. Rigorous research initiatives are in the
offing and a tracer study is underway, to
track the success and impact of RPL on the beneficiaries, the economy,
and the labor market.
This research is timely, offering critical insights into the tangible benefits of
RPL, particularly in enhancing employability, further
education and bridging skills gaps.
In addition to research, strategic partnerships between educational institutions, governmental bodies, stakeholders, and private sector stakeholders will further cement RPL’s relevance, enabling a more cohesive and inclusive recognition framework worldwide.
The digitalization of the RPL process
holds massive promise, restructuring processes and making RPL open to a broader
global audience. RPL is an agent that is catalyzing a more agile and adaptable labor market, which eventually forms a bedrock for a stable economy now and in the
future, for Kenya, Africa, and the rest of the world.
The writer is Dr. ALICE W. KANDE, PhD, the director general/CEO Kenya National Qualifications Authority
