The Members of the National Assembly are calling for the swift implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, designed to empower skilled workers in the informal sector who lack formal academic credentials.
Speaking during a meeting with Dr. Esther Muoria, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Technical, Vocational Education, and Training, Chairman Melly stressed that language scores or academic certificates should not act as barriers to recognizing skilled individuals in the Juakali sector.
The policy seeks to acknowledge the valuable skills possessed by many young people, acquired through both formal and informal means, despite the absence of formal certification.
The Chairman of the National Assembly’s Education Committee Julius Melly of Tinderet, highlighted the presence of highly skilled mechanics, plumbers, masons, and artisan workers who lack academic documents.
He emphasized the necessity of recognizing and certifying these individuals according to the RPL policy guidelines.
The Acting Director-General of the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), Alice Kande confirmed that the RPL policy has undergone testing in selected institutions and is poised for expansion.
“Under this policy, thousands of skilled workers without certified certificates will have their skills acknowledged and will receive certificates after undergoing short training programs,” she noted.
Kande also revealed that many youth possess unrecognized competencies acquired through both formal and informal means.
During the meeting, the Principal Secretary briefed the Committee on the department’s recommendations to the Presidential Working Party on Education Reforms, underscoring the ongoing efforts to recognize and certify essential skills within the workforce.
By Obegi Malack
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