KENAPCO Backs Stronger Competency-Based Assessment as Senior School Reforms Take Shape

The Kenya National Association of Private Colleges (KENAPCO) has reaffirmed its support for ongoing education reforms aimed at strengthening Competency-Based Assessment (CBA) at the Senior School level.

KENAPCO National Chairperson Dr. Ekrah Ndung’u was among key stakeholders who participated in a one-day technical alignment, peer review and scoping workshop on Senior School assessment reforms held at the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) Educational Assessment Resource Centre in Nairobi.

The forum brought together teachers, researchers and education experts to deliberate on the Senior School Assessment Framework, Community Service Learning, dual certification, career pathways and preparations for Kenya’s participation in PISA 2025.

Dr. Ekrah said the participation of the TVET sector was critical as technical and vocational studies are now being introduced at Senior School level, creating a future demand for TVET-trained instructors and institutions.

“TVET institutions will play a key role in supporting senior school learners pursuing technical pathways. As KENAPCO, we are ready, with clear career pathways already mapped out,” she said.

She noted that since the rollout of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), the TVET sector has proactively aligned its systems to support the reforms, including transitioning fully to Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), implementing dual training models, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Value Transfer (CVT) policies.

“All TVET institutions under KENAPCO have transitioned fully to CBET, and assessment centres are operational under TVET CDACC. Our sector is well prepared,” Dr. Ekrah said.

She observed that the next generation of senior school learners will be digitally skilled, exposed to workshops, entrepreneurship, communication skills, community service learning and life skills, reducing the need for remedial training at college and university entry levels.

Dr. Ekrah called for urgent retooling and upskilling of teachers, trainers and lecturers to effectively engage 21st-century learners, whom he described as highly exposed and technologically adept.

The KENAPCO chairperson added that the reforms align with Kenya’s Vision 2030, Africa’s Agenda 2063 and global education goals, noting that Kenya is among 91 countries worldwide and seven in Africa participating in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA).

The workshop underscored the growing importance of TVET in Kenya’s education ecosystem as the country prepares for a skills-driven economy anchored on competence, innovation and industry linkage.