FAQs 2018-10-17T12:40:12+00:00

It is the recognition in education and training awarded by a competent awarding body determined following a formal assessment and validation process that an individual has achieved certain learning outcomes to standards set by the awarding body and recognized by the Authority in accordance with this Act.

Achievement of certain learning outcomes after formal assessment and validation process leads to achievement of a qualification.

National system for the articulation, classification, registration, quality assurance, and the monitoring and evaluation of national qualifications as developed in accordance with this Act.

Three types will be registered: Principal, component and specific-profile qualifications.

  • Principal Awards are the major class of awards associated with each level, capturing a typical range of achievements for the level e.g. Secondary School Certificate at Level 2, Master’s Degree at Level 9.
  • Component awards provide recognition for learners who achieve a cohesive set of learning outcomes that forms part of the combination of learning outcomes required for a principal award e.g. a principal award in computer applications at level 6 could comprise several component awards, one of which could be a word processing award.
  • Specific-profile awards are made for the sets of learning outcomes that form a cohesive achievement but that may relate to only some of the strands of learning outcomes defining levels. They are often of relatively low volume, by comparison with principal awards e.g. awards for the acquisition of specialism’s that extends the range of learning outcomes associated with a medical degree.

Yes through the assessment of prior or experiential learning.

It is what a learner knows, understands and can do on completion of the learning process.

Assessment criterion specifies the standard a learner is expected to meet to demonstrate that the learning outcomes have been achieved. Learners are required to meet all the assessment criteria for the judgement to be made that the outcomes have been achieved and for the learner to be considered competent.

No. It registers qualifications on the Kenya National Qualifications Framework that have complied with quality assurance standards. Qualifications are awarded by the Qualifications awarding Institutions, professional bodies, examination bodies etc all of which will be accredited into the KNQF to supply qualifications.

The authority awards certificates of Recognition of Prior Learning, equation and recognition of qualification certificates. Qualifications certificate are awarded by qualifications awarding bodies.

  • Create a single integrated national framework for learning achievements;
  • Facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within, education, training and career paths;
  • Enhance the quality of education and training;
  • Accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities.

The objectives of the KNQF are designed to contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the nation at large.

KNQA must seek to achieve the objectives of the KNQF by:

  • Developing, fostering and maintaining an integrated and transparent national framework for the recognition of learning achievements;
  • Ensuring that Kenya National qualifications Authority meet appropriate criteria and are internationally comparable;
  • Ensuring that Kenya National qualifications Authority are of an acceptable quality.
  • The objectives of the KNQA as outlined in the KNQF Act are as follows:
  • To create an integrated national framework for learning achievements;
  • Facilitate access to, and mobility and progression within education, training and career paths;
  • Enhance the quality of education and training;
  • Accelerate the redress of past unfair discrimination in education, training and employment opportunities;
  • Contribute to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the nation at large.

KNQA must:

  • Perform its functions subject to the KNQF Act, and oversee the implementation of the KNQF and ensure the achievement of its objectives;
  • Advise the Cabinet Secretary of Education on KNQF matters in terms of the KNQF Act;
  • Comply with the policy determined by the Minister of Education and Training;
  • Consider the Cabinet Secretary’s guidelines which set out the government`s strategy and priorities for the KNQF;
  • Oversee the implementation of the KNQF in accordance with an implementation framework prepared by KNQA.

A level descriptor is a statement of achieved cognitive competence. Level descriptors provide a description of each of the levels on the Kenya National Qualifications Framework (KNQF).

KNQA must develop the content of level descriptors for each level of the KNQF and reach agreement on the content with the council. It must publish the agreed level descriptors in the Gazette and ensure that they remain current and appropriate.

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which formal, non-formal and informal learning is measured, mediated for recognition across different contexts and certified against the requirements for credit, access, inclusion or advancement in the formal education and training system or workplace.

Credit Transfer: This is the process where learners are able to register learning outcomes achieved in one qualification/part qualification at one date and have them counted towards another qualification/part qualification at a later date. Credit Transfer operates between qualifications/part qualifications, but more importantly between organizations or sectors. Credit Accumulation: This is the process where learners are able to register learning outcomes achieved in one qualification/part qualification at one date and have them counted towards the full qualification/part qualification at a later date. Credit Accumulation takes place within sub-systems, for example subject, programme, department, faculty, Institution, awarding body, educational sector, occupational sector, and country. These two processes are integrated, so that the credit which is accumulated within one sub-system may first have been transferred from another sub-system.

The minimum credits for a full Qualification is 30 credits, which translates to 300 notional hours of instruction and study. It is generally completed over 3-month full time study at a registered and accredited Institution.