A call has been made to the Kenya National Qualifications Authority to (KNQA) consider recognizing the higher diploma as a degree.
Western Regional Director of Technical and Vocational and Training (TVET) Joseph Sunguti, says KNQA should harmonize training to ensure students possessing higher diplomas can further their education instead of limiting them. "KNQA should consider the higher diploma as a degree like it happens in other nations in order to help students further their education when they want to apply for master degree programs," he said. "Whereas we are saying a higher diploma is a diploma, elsewhere, in other countries, it's regarded as a degree.
You go to the university, but here they tell you; you cannot study masters with a higher diploma," Sunguti said.
Speaking at Sigalagala National Polytechnic in Kakamega County, during public participation on the Kenya National Qualification Authority draft bill, Sunguti lamented there is some element of vagueness in the education qualification system when applicants present their respective certificates only for the Authority to add the term, with or the "equivalent." "What does the "equivalent" stand for when a certificate has already been presented?" he wondered.
