Agency decries low funding for prior learning candidates
By Irene.Githinji, February 22, 2023
The Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) has urged the Government to develop a financing facility for Recognition for Prior Learning (ROL) candidates.
KNQA Acting Director General Alice Kande (pictured) said that RPL should be considered just like other programmes are supported through Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) where learners are given financial support.
“This is an initiative that the Government can take and see how we can help participants because it is not a cheap programme,” said Kande.
She said they are currently developing the Differentiated Unit Cost (DUC) policy, which will help in articulating the cost of running RPL.
According to Kande, the draft DUC strategy estimates payment of about Sh38,000 per candidate, on the lower side, owing to involvement of quite a number of stakeholders for a complete process.
Costing will also vary depending on the level a candidate is being assessed.
“When we were supported by our partners, we were working with an average of about Sh25,000 per candidate but we realise that is on a lower end. It is quite an engaging and rigorous process. We ensure someone is not assessed by one person,” she explained.