September 5,2024 (Pretoria South Africa): The IGAD Regional Learning Exchange visit to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) commenced on 3 September 2024, with a warm welcome by CEO Mrs. Nadia Starr and her team. On the part of IGAD, Kebede Kassa Tsegaye PhD, Senior Coordinator: Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI), addressed the meeting, thanks the host (SAQA) and expressed appreciation for the IGAD Member States for their commitment to implement the IGAD Qualifications Framework (IGADQF). More particularly, he appreciated the support to IGAD from the Kenyan Qualifications Authority (KNQA) which provided IGAD with experts both to make the national assessment and to finalize the IGADQF which was adopted last May. Kenya was the first IGAD MS to have a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and an Authority to implement it. For this reason, KNQA was keen to learn from the experiences of African countries who have developed their own NQF and implementing the same. South Africa was one of the first countries which both the NQF and an implementing agency (SQA), hence the IGAD decision to make the Learning Exchange mission there. Next to Kenya, Ethiopia has become the second IGAD MS to endorse a NQF and Uganda is on the pipeline. All the MS of IGAD are working on their NQF and IGAD needs to scaleup the support to them in the context of implementing the IGADQF. Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda participated in the Learning Exchange Mission (LEM) to SAQA, South Africa. Efforts will be made to include Djibouti and Sudan in the next LEM wherever this may be.
The meeting was also addressed by Hon. Julius Melly, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Education Julius Melly who has termed the on-going benchmarking event in South Africa as an eye-opener. His intervention and remakes was preceded by a brief introductory statement of the CEO of KNQA, Dr Alice Kane, who thanked IGAD and the host as well as introduced her delegation.
Several presentations were made by IGAD, Kenya, SAQA, and QCTO (the South African Qualifications Council on Trades and Occupations). The meeting was informative and participatory. By the IGAD standards, the LEM has achieved its objectives, thanks to the hospitality and facilitation of the LEM by our South African hosts.
This significant three-day event was designed to enhance the region’s National Qualifications Frameworks (NQFs) and cultivate a collective vision for Africa-centred leadership in educational excellence; providing quality and relevant education for all.The inaugural day featured a series of substantive presentations on the successes and challenges of NQF development and implementationwithin the region. Discussions underscored the importance of regional integration, governance, and lifelong learning in advancing quality educationstandards across IGAD member states. Participants were encouraged to exchange expertise and collaborate on solutions aimed at improving skills development. A central theme emerged from South Africa’s commitment to ensuring that NQFs are accessible to every community, encapsulated in the guiding principle of “Taking NQF to every village,” which emphasises access, equity, mobility, quality, and transparency.
The second day of the exchange further built on these foundational discussions. Delegates engaged deeply with the development, implementation, and referencing of NQFs within regional and continental frameworks, including the Southern African Development Community Qualifications Framework (SADCQF) and the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF). Parallel sessions focused on key topics such as Quality Assurance, Flexible Learning Pathways, and the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), offering innovative approaches to higher education systems and promoting research and knowledge generation. The discussions highlighted the importance of inclusive education, with one participant remarking, “This is a part of the Jua Kali movement; it is for those at the margins,” emphasising the need to reach underserved and marginalised communities through flexible and accessible learning pathways.
On the third and final day, the focus shifted to more technical aspects of NQF management. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on SAQA’s Authentication Services and the NQF Management Information System. Key sessions addressed the verification of foreign qualifications and effective data management strategies. Additionally, a presentation from Kenya’s Commission for University Education provided valuable insights, enriching the dialogue. The day concluded with a field visit to the Quality Council for Trades & Occupations (QCTO), offering participants an opportunity to explore South Africa’s occupational qualifications sub-framework in detail. The day’s engagements reinforced a collective commitment to “Shaping better tomorrows,” reflecting the forward-looking perspective shared by all participants.
The IGAD Learning Exchange Visit to SAQA represents a significant milestone in fostering regional and inter-regional cooperation in education and qualifications frameworks. Through constructive dialogue and knowledge exchange, this visit has laid the groundwork for a more integrated and inclusive educational framework across the IGAD region, contributing to the development of skilled and empowered communities across Africa who are well prepared for lifelong learning and the world of work.
The Closing Session was concluded by statements from SAQA, IGAD, KNQA, and QCTO. This was devoted to appreciations and expressions of gratitude for the very successful three-day events. Among others, it was agreed to continue the exchange of ideas and lesson on regular basis the modality of which would be determined in consultation with the leadership of the respective institutions involved.
