The Eldoret National Polytechnic has signed a memorandum of service with Startup Lions to equip young people from the Turkana county with key life and digital skills. The move is an important step in bridging the educational gap that exists in one of the highly marginalized regions in Kenya.
The memorandum was signed on July 8, 2024, by Eldoret National Polytechnic Chief Principal Charles Koech and the CEO of Startup Lions, Brizan Were. The latter was famous for the programs of digital empowerment in IT education, creation of Fair Trade jobs, and entrepreneurship, running an established campus in Turkana. The RPL consideration, therefore, focuses on Recognition of Prior Learning for the youth for formal certification against skills already acquired.
This will enable candidates at Startup Lions to be certified in Creative Computer Design Level 4 and Web Design Level 4. According to the Deputy Principal in charge of academics at Eldoret Polytechnic, James Mwangi, already, 74 students in Lodwar and Kakuma have been screened for their portfolios of evidence with the final assessment set to happen in August. This certification process is, therefore, important to the students involved since it provides them with academic credentials which prove their skills.
RPL is, therefore, an innovation in the front of recognition for skills and knowledge acquired by people outside the formal system. According to Paul Muriithi, an assistant director at the TVET Authority, RPL assures quality and standardization, hence making the qualifications credible to the industry and all other stakeholders. The move is part of a larger government push spearheaded by President William Ruto to recognize and formalize prior learning across the country.
According to Brizan Were of Startup Lions, this marked a milestone partnership into the skilling of digital youths in Turkana, home to many talented young people with limited opportunities for advancement in academics. These youth were able to acquire academic papers from Eldoret National Polytechnic, which proved their potential to employers for better employment opportunities and a brighter future.
Leaders from North Rift Community, notably Benjamin Leting, Abraham Cheruiyot, and Celestine Chelagat, recently praised Principal Koech for his outstanding leadership in extension and outreach activities at Eldoret Polytechnic. The institution is committed to the development of its young people; it has a student population of over 18,000 and is keen on such strategic partnerships.