standards and maintains basic quality in institutions of basic education; administers policies and guidelines set for basic education; supervises and oversees curriculum implementation and delivery; monitors the conduct of assessments and examinations in institutions of basic education; and monitors and evaluates standards in quality education. 181. Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development Act, No. 4 of 2013 establishes the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development, a successor to the Kenya Institute of Education. It has the mandate to advise the Government on matters pertaining to curriculum development and to implement policies relating to curriculum development in basic and tertiary education and training; evaluate, vet, and approve for application in Kenya, any local and foreign curriculum support materials in relation to the levels of education and training. 182. Kenya National Examination Council Act, Cap 255A, Laws of Kenya establishes the Kenya National Examinations Council which is tasked with overseeing setting and conduct of public academic, technical and other national examinations within Kenya at basic and tertiary levels; award of certificates or diplomas to candidates, confirming authenticity of certificates or diplomas issued by the council upon request by the Government, among other things. 183. The Teachers Service Commission Act Cap 212, Laws of Kenya mandates the Teachers’ Service Commission to oversee, lead and direct the teaching fraternity; ensure that teachers comply with teaching standards prescribed by the Commission; manage the payroll of teachers in its employment; facilitate career progression and professional development for teachers and monitor the conduct and performance of teachers, among other things. The Government has been conducting massive recruitment of teachers at all levels to reduce the teacher student ratio and ensure quality education is offered. 184. Universities Act, No 42 of 2012 is enacted for purposes of development of university education, the establishment, accreditation and governance of universities, establishment of the Commission for University Education, the Universities Funding Board and the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service Board. The placement board is responsible for inter alia co-coordinating the placement of the government sponsored students to universities and colleges. It provides that in performance of its duties, the placement board shall promote equity and access to University and college education by developing criteria for affirmative action for the marginalized, the minorities and persons with disabilities. 185. KNA Commission for UNESCO Act (KNATCOM) No 5 of 2013, Laws of Kenya provides for the establishment of a Commission, for United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), whose programmes include five areas of competence Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, Communication and Information. 186. Kenya is committed to the Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Community Common Market. Article 11 of the Protocol provides that for purposes of ensuring free movement of labour, the partner states Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda undertake to mutually recognize the academic and professional qualifications granted experience obtained, requirements met, licences or certifications granted in the partner states; harmonize their curricula, examinations, standards, certification and accreditation of educational and training institutions. Implementation of this provision is underway. 42