As schools prepare to open, higher education minister Blade Nzimande has warned parents and pupils to be careful of illegal or “fly-by-night” colleges offering qualifications not recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
According to the Minister, these colleges are not registered as institutions of learning with the correct Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAS), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) or other relevant bodies.
“These institutions lure and mislead future students into believing that these colleges offer qualifications that are recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA),” said Nzimande.
“Illegal colleges offer compromised qualifications which are not recognised for employment purposes or for further studying.
He went on to add that the department has been successful in shutting down these illegal operators.
“However, while the department may be hard at work to eliminate unregistered colleges, there are many students who continue to register and are unlawfully granted fake qualifications.
“The number of colleges operating illegally has decreased tremendously over the years. The decrease can be attributed to our monitoring awareness campaigns and our collaboration with print and electronic media,” Nzimande said. ‘
The minister said he is working closely with law enforcement agencies to close down these colleges.
Students who want to enrol at private colleges must check the registration status of such private colleges with the department through its toll-free number 0800-872-222,” Nzimande said.
Pupils can also log onto the department’s website where the Register of Private Colleges is published and updated regularly.
The opinion is of the view that schools offering curricula and qualifications that are not registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) are ultimately breaking the law and “defrauding” parents and learners who use them.
Source: IOL, Times Live, Business Tech, image from Twitter: @Powerfm987