.jpg "Degree Verification – Ensuring Genuine Qualification")
As hiring managers or human resources professionals, you are likely to be faced with the task of reviewing applications and resumes of people who want to work for your organization or who want to be promoted. Some applicants may list credentials or degrees that appear credible, such as bachelor's, master's, or doctorate degrees, or professional certification.
Attached to many resumes are academic documents that warn
that some people are buying credentials or degrees from "diploma
mills" companies. Most "diploma-making" companies charge a flat
fee, require little if any education, and award a degree or diploma based
solely on work or life experience.
For this reason, the verification of these studies documents
carried out for a job vacancy or an internal promotion becomes an activity that
requires certain skills and involves a special work methodology. These
knowledge skills are validated through verification with institutions
accredited by the Ministry of Education. Said
institutions are obliged to issue the respective documents that certify that
the interested person carried out and completed the study plan, complying with
all the requirements and commitments acquired. These documents are commonly the
degree certificate, diploma, and/or certificate of competencies.
By not going through the verification process, you could
appoint an unqualified person to a position of responsibility, leaving your
organization to be held liable if the employee's actions hurt someone.
Online degree verification help identify false
academic credentials and guarantee your hiring process's integrity.
Evaluation of the logical sequence of the dates of obtaining
degrees. When you review the list of studies completed, you expect to find a traditional
progression in graduation dates - high school graduate, followed by college,
master's and doctoral degrees, or other advanced study degrees.
Quick diplomas. Obtaining a college or advanced studies
degree generally takes three to four years for a college, even longer to earn a
doctorate. A degree obtained in a very short period, or several degrees listed
in the same year, signals the hiring manager or person doing the preliminary
personnel evaluation to consider.
Foreign institution. It may also be the case of finding a
degree awarded by an institution with a foreign name that seems prestigious.
This also requires some research. Investigating the legitimacy of study houses
abroad can be a complicated mission, but consider this point as a warning sign
if the applicant claims to have a degree obtained in a country in which they
never lived or did so for a short time, without a study visa.
Verify Academic Titles:
It recommends verifying academic degrees always, even when
the institution that grants them is recognized. Some job applicants may falsify
information about their academic background instead of their employment
history, possibly because employers are less likely to consult educational
institutions to verify the authenticity or request copies of transcripts.
Additionally, registed offices, investigates if the Ministry
of Education accredits the institution. Colleges and universities accredited by
legitimate agencies are generally subject to a rigorous review of their
educational programs' quality.
Which Body is Responsible for the Verification of a Degree Certificate in Kenya?
The Kenya
National Examination Council (KNEC) is the body responsible for degree
verification in Kenya. In an effort to combat the prevalence of fake
certificates, the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA), a government
organization responsible for standardizing education, training, assessment, and
quality assurance of qualifications in Kenya, has introduced a new reporting
system. This system aims to address the issue of forged certificates across the
country.
What is the Procedure of Verifying a Degree Certificate in Kenya?
To validate or confirm the authenticity of education certificates in Kenya, it is essential to follow the appropriate steps. Here is a guide on how to verify a degree certificate in Kenya:
How to Verify a Degree Certificate in Kenya In-Person:
1. Visit the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) offices or their website to initiate the application process.
2. At the KNEC offices, you will receive an Application for Statement of Examination Result form, which needs to be completed. Alternatively, you can download the form from the KNEC website.
3. Fill out the application form, stating the reason for the request and provide the postal address of the institution or organization requesting the verification.
4. Ensure you attach the following documents to the application form before submission:
- For
equation of primary school certificates belonging to minors, include the
original certificates and birth certificate (these will be returned after
verification).Results slips photocopies are acceptable for all
examinations except for CPE & KCPE.
- If a
copy of the certificate or results slip is missing, obtain an introduction
letter from the school and a certified copy of the results printout for
the specific year from your former school/college. For private candidates
and schools that have closed, contact the County Directors or Sub-County
Directors.
- For modular courses (Business, Technical, and SNE), attach copies of results slips for all modular courses to confirm the results.
5. Application Charges:
The charges for an Application for Statement of Examination
Result by KNEC are as follows:
- Within
Kenya: Ksh 2,320
- Outside
Kenya: Ksh 3,480
Statements are usually dispatched through registered mail at
no additional cost. However, if you prefer courier services, charges will be
based on the distance of the destination. You will be responsible for covering
the extra cost. Fax services are also available for an additional fee:
Fax within Kenya: Ksh 928 Fax outside Kenya: Ksh 1,392
6. Payments should be made to the General Transactions
account using the KNEC deposit slips available at the following banks:
(i) Cooperative Bank of Kenya Ltd: 01136030120307
(ii) National Bank of Kenya Ltd: 01001-60314300
(iii) Kenya Commercial Bank: 1116686937
(iv) Equity Bank: 047-0294988491
7. After making the payment, forward the deposit slip along
with the Application for Statement of Examination Result to KNEC.
- It is
advised not to pay for the equation service until your documents are
verified by the Kenya National Examinations Council.
- Deposits for certificate equation are valid only if submitted to KNEC within twelve (12) months after banking.
8. Mailing Address: If you are not applying in person at the
KNEC offices, send your application to the following address:
Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), P. O. Box 73598- 00200 City Square, Nairobi.
9. Statements are normally dispatched through registered mail at no extra cost. If you prefer courier services, charges will apply based on the distance of the destination. You will be responsible for covering the additional cost.
How long does it take to Verify a Degree Certificate in Kenya?
The processing and dispatch of statements take approximately 10 working days. However, older examinations may require more time.
What are the Requirements for Verifying a Degree Certificate in Kenya?
As an employer based in Kenya, If the question of how to
verify a degree certificate in Kenya has been a concern to you, here is a
simple guide on how to verify a degree certificate in Kenya. This process sure
works for any university degree certificate.
1.) Please provide your original National Identification card or passport for
verification.
2.) Kindly bring your school leaving certificate.
3.) Candidates who took the 2018 KCSE exams must submit
their certificates, not result slips.
4.) Make sure to photocopy both sides of your academic
certificates.
5.) For polytechnics and technical institutions, please
submit your leaving certificates along with the diploma transcripts.
6.) University degree certificates must be accompanied by
the relevant transcripts, unless obtained from local universities before 1984.
7.) If you have traveled abroad, please attach photocopies
of your passport pages showing departure from Kenya and entry into other
countries.
8.) All certification cases must be presented in person. If
submitting on behalf of someone else, please provide proof of authority from
the owner, along with the original identity card of the person making the
submission.
9.) Parents must present all documents for underage children, including proof of the birth certificate.