CS Matiang’i: End times for fake certificates, diploma

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i PHOTO:COURTESY

It is the end of the road for bogus colleges that cheat innocent students by awarding them fake or unacceptable certificates and diploma papers.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the certification mess had created anarchy in the education sector, with students holding conflicting papers.

The CS said employers have been exposed to a mixed bag of diploma papers, some obtained after only three months of study.

"There are diploma papers obtained after six months, two years, and some after three years. We must standardise all these and have clear pathways," said Dr Matiang'i.

He added that some private institutions set up colleges and admit students, yet no one knows what they teach.

Speaking during a stakeholders' meeting to discuss the draft Kenya Qualifications Framework in Nairobi, Matiang'i said the era of fake certificates would soon be over forever.

"By January 2018, we want a proper qualifications framework to end this madness. This is a fundamental step we are taking. We are stepping back to talk about order," said Matiang'i.

The proposed Kenya Qualifications Framework seeks to provide one-stop accreditation, teaching/training, testing, assessment, and evaluation services for qualifications and accreditations.