Nyeri National Polytechnic students will begin sitting for special examinations set by the institution after the institution was issued with a certificate of qualification to develop its own curriculum by the Kenya National Qualification Authority (KNQA).
This will mandate the institution to train and award students with certificates after completion, a feat which only Meru and the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic had.
Speaking during the awarding of the qualification certificate, Principal Secretary for Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) Dr. Esther Muoria said the law allows national polytechnics to train, graduate and issue certificates to students.
“Just as the universities train and examine their students and award them with degrees, the same should happen in TVET institutions. The polytechnics have a responsibility to develop a curriculum, train and graduate students and issue them with certificates,” she said.
Dr. Muoria added: “KNQA is mandated to approve and issue certificates to polytechnics that qualify to develop a curriculum which means students from other institutions can now train from their colleges and after graduation, they are issued with a certificate from the Nyeri National Polytechnic.”
KNQA Director General Alice Kande stated the State will ensure national qualifications are globally competitive and meet the industry requirements.
“The ministry is charged with the responsibility of producing skilled youths which is much more needed than the academic papers. To eradicate unemployment, we need to equip youths with skills,” she said.
Kande expressed optimism that Nyeri National Polytechnic’s qualification will positively impact all students who will take its courses and that graduates will participate in meaningful engagements in the labour market.
She noted that the exercise will be carried out in all other national polytechnics.
By Thuita Jaswant
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