Govt. to Validate Revised Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy Framework
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Education, via the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), will begin the validation of critical legal instruments in the history of lifelong learning in Kenya.
Mr. Ezekiel Machogu, Cabinet Secretary for Education, will oversee the three-day validation workshop in Naivasha.
The key legal instruments being validated are the revised Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy Framework in Kenya, the guidelines for the implementation of RPL in Kenya, and the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) of Assessing Prior Learning.
The validation exercise will result in the establishment of a robust RPL system in Kenya that is able to contribute meaningfully to the social and economic development of Kenyans and is aligned with the National Economic Agenda, the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
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The Ministry of Education, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), the National Industrial Training Institute (NITA), the Technical Vocational Education Training Authority (TVETA), the International Labour Organization, and the Council of Governors are among the organizations represented by the experts.
The purpose of this assessment is to bring the policy in line with the new National Economic Agenda, the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Dr. Alice Kande, the interim director general of the KNQA, stated that the purpose of the policy review is to align it with global and national agendas.
Dr. Kande stated that they had undertaken the task of realigning their policy framework.
They emphasized their understanding that their policies should not exist in isolation but should seamlessly integrate with the broader vision of their government, aligning with the National Economic Agenda and the Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda—a vision that champions inclusivity, empowerment, and the enhancement of the nation’s human capital.
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She stated that the approval of the revised text of the RPL Policy Framework is more than a symbolic achievement; it is evidence of Kenya’s commitment to excellence and its unwavering dedication to the improvement of our society.
Dr. Kande conveyed that the revised framework was not just a document but a promise. They emphasized that it was a promise to the citizens, assuring them that their skills and experiences held significance and that education was a lifelong journey that acknowledged their individual pathways.
Moreover, it was a commitment to the nation, indicating their alignment with the evolving landscape of change, their embrace of innovation, and their dedication to creating an environment where every citizen could flourish.
In its August report, the Presidential Working Group on Education Reform (PWPER) recommended the implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Accumulation and Transfer Systems (CATS) in Kenya.
Prof. Raphael Munavu’s staff recommended, in a report presented to President William Ruto, that more awareness be raised about Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Accumulation and Transfer Systems.
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The report recommended the establishment of a framework for connecting Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions (TVETs) to eliminate redundancy and establish specialized centers of excellence.
This recommendation was promptly endorsed by the President for immediate implementation.
RPL has been implemented as a means of redressing past inequalities, thereby enhancing employability, mobility, progression, and access within education, training, and development career paths.
RPL is used internationally as an aid for lifelong learning by providing access to higher education. Awarding credit toward a qualification, Admission to formal institutions of Learning, Advanced Standing, and Credit Accumulation and Transfer RPL for credit transfer or harmonization (national and foreign credits), RPL for recognition of experiential learning, RPL for upgrading skills or qualifications, and regulatory requirements for employing qualified individuals in certain industries.
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Section 8(1)(k) of the KNQF Act requires the authority to promote lifelong learning and recognize the acquisition of skills through formal, non-formal, and informal means.
Govt. to Validate Revised Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy Framework