This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
On October 23, 2019, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) announced a significant shift in its recognition of skills acquired by jua-kali artisans.
According to Dr. Juma Mukhwana, the KNQA Director, thousands of skilled artisans, including masons, plumbers, electricians, and mechanics, have acquired their skills in the informal and non-formal sectors, making significant contributions to the economy.
Under the new arrangement, the Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examination Board (KASNEB), Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), and Curriculum Development, Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC) will issue academic certificates based on practical performance rather than written examinations.
This means that a jua-kali trained artisan, such as a tailor, carpenter, mechanic, sculptor, or plumber, who has never sat in a formal classroom or Technical Educational and Vocational Training Institutes (TVETS), may be issued with a recognized certificate, just like their counterparts who have undergone years of formal training.
The assessments will be rolled out within the next three months, and will be conducted in industries, universities, or TVET institutions that have the necessary machinery, equipment, personnel, and expertise.
Dr. Mukhwana noted that the KNQA is working with other stakeholders to introduce the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Technical Vocational Education Training, which will align the curriculum developed by Sectors Skills Advisory Committees (SSACs) to the competencies required for national development.
