Kisumu National Polytechnic rolls-out recognition of prior learning assessment

 

An Officer from RPL at The Kisumu National Polytechnic address the press during the event-Photo Courtesy

By Geoffrey Kasera

Kisumu National Polytechnic rolls-out recognition of prior learning assessment

The Kisumu National Polytechnic has rolled-out a Recognition of Prior Learning assessment and certification exercise.

The exercise, which is also being conducted in various national polytechnics across the country, seeks to recognize and certify individuals with skills minus formal certification.

CCTV, electrical installation and solar PV installation technologists are some of the artisans being targeted in the exercise, so as to improve their chances of earning decent salaries and competing for various tenders.

Addressing the press at the Kisumu National Polytechnic , Stanley Maindi, Director of RPL said the assessment involves going to places of work of those seeking certification in order to confirm what is happening on the ground.      

“Sometimes we can even come to see your projects. If you are a contractor, we shall come and check the projects you have been building. If you are also a contractor, we can look for the contracts you signed with people and say this has been signed,” says Maindi.

The assessment fee, he says, ranges from between Sh5,500 and Sh10,000 depending on whether the exercise is undertaken at the institution like KNP or where one is working.

“If you come to the institution like this one, because we are going to use our workshops, you're going to use electricity if it's a practical examination, so the money we charge you will range from around Sh10,000. It goes up depending on the type of exam you are doing. If it is practical, you're going to use materials, you're going to use electricity, it's more expensive,” he notes.

He says those seeking certification may be assessed free of charge courtesy of a partnership between the government and various partners, among them the African Development Bank (ADB).  

“When you are assessed under that program, you don't pay anything because it is sponsored. There are many organizations that are willing to support these exercises, like the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the MasterCard Foundation,” he adds.

He says the certificates being handed out have the same bearing as the ones given out after going through the formal education system.

“For example, if you are an artisan, that is called a Level 4 artisan, you will get an artisan certificate for Level 4. These are the same certificates people who are in the schooling system are getting. You can also even get a diploma certificate depending on how much you know,” adds the director.

The deputy RPL coordinator at the Kisumu National Polytechnic Paul Watsiera Shingalaba says the exercise is seamless, adding that their target is to access 100 people by close of business on Friday, April 11, 2025.

“So far, we have assessed over 60. By Friday this week, we are hoping to hit around 100. But we have others who are scheduled for the upcoming assessments,” he says.

“This is not the end. RPL has no timetable. The time you come, you are very ready, we assess you and you have the competencies which we can attest. Then we go and confirm them on the ground. After that assessment, the certificate can take approximately no more than three weeks.” He further says.

The Kenya Kwanza administration launched the RPL policy in March 2024. So far, over 5,000 Kenyans with skill without qualifications have been assessed and certified, with the target being assessing and certifying all the over 15 million people in the informal sector.