Ministry seeks to harmonise education system

The Ministry of Education plans to harmonise the education system by addressing issues that touch on skills.

State Department for Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Principal Secretary Esther Mworia said a harmonised education system would help maximise and leverage existing and emerging skills.

Dr Mworia is optimistic that this would boost the economy and enable the government to implement the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

The PS said the Kenya National Qualification Authority (KNQA) was playing a crucial role in the harmonisation process.

She noted that the Ministry was keen on relevance, professionalism and proper representation as a way of improving education standards in the country.

“It is important to roll out instruments that allow assessment of setbacks and strengths, gap identification, long-term strategic goals and a clear demonstration that there is optimal utilisation of the available resources,” she said.

The PS was speaking at Lake Naivasha Resort during a workshop to finalise the recently launched KNQA Strategic Plan.

“KNQA is playing a huge role in harmonising our national education system and is keen to address issues that touch on skills that contribute towards sustaining the economy,” she said.

She lauded the authority for the development and national roll-out of the Recognition of Prior Learning policy that added to the existing accreditation pathways and promotion of lifelong learning.

“All these efforts in one way or another are implementing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda of investing in the economy,” she said.

KNQA Director General Alice Kande assured that the Strategic Plan would ensure quality service delivery and commitment to serve with professionalism and integrity.

Dr Kande said the authority plays a pivotal role in harmonising education and training in the country through implementing the Kenya National Qualifications Framework.

“As we firm up the new Strategic Plan, we embrace the profound responsibility of shaping the future of the country through managing and implementing the framework,” she said.

The KNQA Chairperson Stanley Kiptis called on the staff to deliver a central national database of credible qualifications that was seamlessly integrated with other education sub-frameworks.

“The African Continental Qualifications Framework is instrumental in fostering continental integration, prosperity and achieving the objectives set,” he said.

Kiptis announced that they will align KNQA plans with the African Continental Qualifications Framework to enhance the development of skills and qualifications.