[kictanet] ICDL - I apologise-KASNEB and ICTs

Wed Sep 1 14:00:16 EAT 2010

@Clemo,

I dont have the actual numbers of graduates of the CICT (Certified Information Communication Technologist, http://www.kasneb.or.ke/cict.htm)
exam set by KASNEB but am aware that the first few graduates completed
the program 1yr ago. Their IT program is fashioned along the CPA model
in that it tries to be "technical" as opposed to being
"academic"...which is a good thing since in this country everyone is
scrambling for a degree and subsequently expecting to be a "Manager"
rather than a "Worker"...this will ultimately create an imbalance in
the labor market similar to having more "Architects" than "Contractors"
say in the building industry.

As to the debate of whether KASNEB
is the rightful place to domicile this IT program has been forever a
contentious issue which I was avoiding.  My (biased) opinion has been
that KASNEB is an Examination
"factory" with tested systems and structures to produce exams at this
professional/skill level. It is therefore easy for them to leverage on
this systems to offer the market a credible exam in IT.  The issue of
how can "accountants" set an IT exam does not arise because the Exams
are actually set and moderated by IT professionals in the industry. 
KASNEB simply provides the legal framework and infrastructure for
delivery of the same.

walu.
--- On Mon, 8/30/10, CLEM NYANDIERE <c_nyandiere at yahoo.com> wrote:

From: CLEM NYANDIERE <c_nyandiere at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [kictanet] ICDL - I apologise(RESTRICTED ACCESS)
To: jwalu at yahoo.com
Cc: "KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions" <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Date: Monday, August 30, 2010, 12:45 PM

Thanks Bw Kirongothi for the update.

My only concern is that KASNEB has all along been known for accountancy and secretaries courses to the extent that very few of us would want to associate it with ICT courses. I can bet that may be the reason why not many people will be keen to take up the courses (ICDL or otherwise) when offered under the the umbrella of KASNEB. On this note I would be glad to know how successful the certificate/ diploma courses introduced by KASNEB about 5 years have been to date.

As a trainer of a few years (since Walu and co employed me somewhere), and knowing our people, I can only see the solution being in a separate ICT Certification body. There was some attempt by the Late Dr John Onunga. Also Computer Society of Kenya did something! I guess this time round, Paul
 Kukubo (ICT Board) and team should take the lead.  Perhaps work with Min of Higher Education and Dr Ndemo's Ministry and Computer Society of Kenya This should translate to some equivalent of KASNEB, established through an Act of Parliament! If too complex, I would think PS Ndemo, working with ICT MPs like Eng. Rege, MP, review the ICT Board Act and include the component of examination and certification in ICT.

My two cents

Clement

From: J.R. Kirongothi <kirongothi at kasneb.or.ke>
To: c_nyandiere at yahoo.com
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
 <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Mon, August 30, 2010 9:46:13 AM
Subject: Re: [kictanet] ICDL - I apologise(RESTRICTED ACCESS)

  Hi all,

  Thankyou for allowing me to join your mailing list. I wish to 
  contirbute to the discussion above dated august 
6. 

  Robert raised an issue which is of concern across board i.e., to all 
  other stakeholders including some trainers, which is: The standard of training in IT in 
  Kenya. I recall a meeting with Dr. Ndemo and Mr. Kukubo and others which 
  proposed a taskforce to look into the issue of IT training in Kenya. As Dr. 
  Ndemo puts it, an examining body must exist to ensure the syllabus coverage 
  and skills imparted before any certification. This way, any employer or other 
  stakeholder is assured of quality when engaging a certified graduate. KASNEB 
  mandate has now been expanded to include accreditation of colleges that train 
  for its examinations. Consequently, KASNEB has established a directorate to 
  specifically address issues of accreditation in order to ensure quality 
  training. The mandate of KASNEB is to develop syllabuses, conduct professional 
  and technician examinations and certification of candidates in finance, 
  accountancy, management, information technology among other related 
  disciplines, a task it has handled well since 1969 (as Dr Ndemo cites the 
  preference of CPA over other foreign accountancy 
  examinations). 

  The taskforce Walu mentions, of which I am also a member, was appointed 
  by KASNEB. This taskforce was never meant to create or replicate a local 
  version of ICDL but to come up with an end user basic skills or minimum 
  computer literacy curriculum that not only addresses local needs but is also 
  globally competitive. The taskforce commenced by addressing and researching on 
  “What constitutes minimum computer literacy in Kenya?” Armed with the 
  findings, the taskforce settled down to work coming up with a content that was 
  presented to the various committees of KASNEB as per the procedure of 
  developing a curriculum. By the way, Walu must have misconceived a challenge 
  in the Board’s perception because the Board of KASNEB has been very supportive 
  of the whole idea including the electronic system approach, and even provided 
  a lot of input at various stages of the development of the curriculum. (Alex, 
  you were a member of the taskforce. You can confirm).  In fact, KASNEB is now in the final 
  stages of the development of the curriculum, before releasing the content to a 
  wider circle of stakeholders for their input. It is worthy to note that KASNEB 
  is a service oriented, not for profit State Corporation and charges only 
  administrative costs as fees hence the low cost Walu mentions. This supports 
  Harry’s comment that money is not the issue and the concern of losing 
  traditional income streams does not therefore 
  arise. 

  KASNEB is open to suggestions and positive critique and welcomes new 
  ideas that are aimed at promoting professionalism in Kenya and 
  beyond. 

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