Kenyans who want their certificates earned abroad to be recognised by the Kenya National Examinations Council will have to adhere to several strict new guidelines, the council has announced.
In a statement released on Monday, April 14, KNEC announced revised guidelines for the equation of foreign certificates, which will henceforth take place via a dedicated online platform - the Query Management Information System (QMIS).
According to the council, the move is primarily aimed at improving the efficiency and transparency of processing academic credentials for both school and post-school levels.
One of the conditions KNEC listed to make one eligible for the equation process is that the foreign certificate should have been awarded by an accredited examining board or an institution authorised by law to conduct examinations and issue certificates.
Applicants must also have satisfied the entry requirements for the equivalent course offered by KNEC at the time of application. Authenticated Ordinary Level certificates will need to be presented by applicants seeking the equivalent of Advanced Level certificates.
KNEC also directed that the authenticity confirmation must be sent directly to the KNEC Chief Executive Officer via email before the equation process begins.
Among the major changes by KNEC in the equation process is the introduction of a qualification threshold, meaning not everyone with foreign certificates will be eligible for equation. For instance, the application for the equation of Advanced Level certificates will require an applicant to have attained a KCSE mean grade of C (Plain).
Applicants are also required to have completed the mandatory subjects required by KNEC awarding rules. This includes five subjects, a language and mathematics, totalling seven subjects.
Those who received certificates in foreign languages will also be required to translate them through the relevant embassy or a reputable translation institution.
The equation of certificates is a crucial exercise, especially with the growing number of Kenyans furthering their education abroad.
This process is key for people who received higher learning abroad but are seeking employment in their home country.
Notably, KNEC does not recognise certificates from unaccredited colleges or informal institutions.
Meanwhile, the government is planning to drop KNEC and replace it with the Kenya National Education Assessments Council (KNEAC) to encompass the recently introduced Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and other changes the government is undertaking in the education sector.
