KNQA Advocates for RPL Policy to Combat Academic Forgery
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority’s acting director general emphasized the crucial role of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy in combating the issue of counterfeit academic certificates.
Dr. Alice Kande stated that RPL involves identifying, assessing, and certifying an individual’s knowledge, skills, and competencies against prescribed standards, irrespective of when, where, or how they were acquired.
Addressing the issue of academic forgery, Kande highlighted the significance of the RPL policy in providing a clear mechanism for obtaining a certificate, whether in the formal or informal sector. She expressed confidence that the policy would deter individuals from resorting to shortcuts for certification.
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Speaking during a planning meeting for the national launch of the policy in March, Kande outlined the objectives and potential impact of the RPL policy.
The meeting was attended by various stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Education, International Labour Organization, National Industrial Training Institute, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority.
Last week, the Public Service Commission (PSC) revealed that an authentication exercise conducted in October 2022 found that 2,067 public servants across 331 institutions had used forged documents to secure jobs or promotions.
Notably, 787 officers in Ministries, State Departments, and Agencies were implicated in the forgery, with common types including altered KCSE mean grades and forged certificates.
PSC Chairperson Anthony Muchiri emphasized that the ongoing authentication exercise may reveal additional cases of forgery, and a majority of the implicated individuals work in institutions such as the Ministry of Interior, Kenyatta National Hospital, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and the Geothermal Development Corporation.
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The Cabinet’s approval of the RPL policy last month marked a significant milestone in recognizing skills acquired through practical work, even without formal academic or institutional qualifications.
The policy is expected to create new opportunities for millions of Kenyans, allowing skilled but uncertified individuals to receive certificates based on their competencies, thereby expanding employment and advanced learning prospects.
The implementation of the RPL policy aligns with recommendations from the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform, formed in September 2022. The working party suggested the adoption of the RPL policy and Credit Accumulation and Transfer Systems in Kenya.
The approval process for the RPL policy began in 2020, establishing a functional and credible system for recognizing skills in the informal sector.
KNQA Advocates for RPL Policy to Combat Academic Forgery
