April 26, 2025 (NAIROBI, Kenya): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has convened the Regional Experts Meeting on the IGAD Qualification Frameworks to create harmonized system that each Member State uses to recognize the education qualifications of refugees and returnees, in Nairobi, Kenya.
The main objective of the three days Regional meeting for National Qualification Framework Experts is to enhance domestication and create common understanding among experts of member states, partners and stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the Director for Health and Social Development Division, IGAD, Dr. Victoria Anib, Head of Social Development Unit highlighted that the regional expert meeting, on the IGAD Qualification Frameworks, is a milestone and collective journey toward building a harmonized and inclusive education and training ecosystem that symbolizes the member states shared vision for a region where qualifications are transparent, learning is recognized across borders.
Dr. Victoria also emphasized that the IGAD Qualification Framework is a bold and forward-looking initiative designed to align the regional education and training systems, including, to facilitate learner and labor mobility, as well as, to promote trust and transparency. “Let us also remain committed to ensuring that the IGAD Qualification Framework supports lifelong learning, skills for the future, and inclusive recognition, particularly for those in the informal sector and displaced communities, who are often left behind,” She stressed.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Esthert T. Mworia, Principal Secretary State Department for Technical Vocational Education and Training, Ministry of Education, Kenya, as a host country, stated that the implementation of IGAD Qualifications Framework shall require Commitment from all the partners’ states so that none is left to lag behind. “I urge all the development partners to continue supporting us and IGAD to achieve our aspirations. Let us work together to make education a bridge to a brighter future within IGAD and beyond,” He urged.
The representative of the United Nations Higher Commission for Refugees, Jennie Lisa Taylor, said that the IGAD regional Qualification Frameworks, supported by robust National Qualifications Frameworks, can be a powerful tool for inclusion and offers a pathway to recognize the diverse skills, knowledge, and qualifications that individuals, including refugees and returnees, bring to their host communities.
According to Jennie Lisa Taylor, the UNHCR works alongside governments and partners across the IGAD region to protect and assist refugees and displaced populations, supporting their access to education, skills training, and opportunities for self-reliance. “UNHCR is deeply committed to working hand-in-hand with all of you – member states, IGAD, and fellow partners – to ensure that the implementation of the IGADQF and the development of NQFs are inclusive and benefit everyone. We believe that by sharing experiences and learning from one another, we can create frameworks that are responsive, fair, and accessible to all learners and workers in the IGAD region, including those who have been forcibly displaced”, she noted.
Lucy Tengeye- Education Technical Specialist, Save the Children Kenya and Madagascar, Kenya Education in Emergencies Working Group co-lead, on her part, described Save the Children works in East Africa emphasizes the importance of professional development for refugee teachers, ensuring they meet national qualifications and can provide a stable learning environment for children affected by conflict and displacement. “We thank IGAD for the adoption in a regional experts meeting on the IGAD qualifications Framework, that aligns with the Kenya National Qualifications Framework, that is key for certification and accreditation, especially for refugee teachers that we closely work with,” she added.
During the opening ceremony, Dr. Kebede Tsegaye, Coordinator of Education, Science Technology and innovation program, IGAD, reminded that IGAD has the mandate to support the development and implementation processes of Qualification Frmeworks by IGAD Member States focusing on key priority areas such as the multi-year costed refugee plans to ensure inclusive education for refugees, IDPs and returnees, and the strengthening of positive refugee policies; and a harmonized system that each Member State uses to recognize the education qualifications of refugees and returnees.
The meeting brought together experts in National Qualification Frame works from all Member States, partner agencies, and stakeholders.
Budget for the various activities is wfunded from the IGAD – GIZ (Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit) /SIMPI Financing Agreement.
Subsequently, the regional Experts Meeting agreed on the regular review of the progress of the development and implementation of National Qualification Frameworks and provided a draft recommendation and the way forwards for future actions to finalize development of the NQFs and operationalize the IGADQF Governance structure, including, strengthen coordination and capacity Strengthening and to develop regional Policies, guidelines, as well as, to strengthen advocacy, publicity and awareness creation and resource mobilization, collaborations and partnership.
The adoption of the IGAD Qualifications Framework marks a significant milestone, building on the foundation of the Djibouti Declaration on Refugee Education and the collective vision for a more integrated and prosperous region. The IGADQF has been adopted in May 2024 in Entebbe, Uganda.
