Minister moves to cancel registration of non-compliant colleges
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has issued Notice of Intent to cancel registration of three private colleges.
THE Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has reported that he considered the submissions before him and has issued a Notice of Intent to Cancel the registration of three private higher education institutions, namely Damelin, City Varsity, and Icesa City Campus.
Matshepo Seedat, the minister’s spokesperson, shared, “This action follows a prolonged pattern of non-compliance with the Higher Education Act (No. 101 of 1997) and the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions. The decision is therefore undertaken in the interest of protecting students and upholding the integrity of the sector.”
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He added, “The Department has an obligation to ensure that private institutions deliver quality education and demonstrate financial sustainability. The decision to issue the Notice of Intent to Cancel is based on the failure to submit complete statutory Annual Reports, failure to demonstrate financial and operational sustainability, and evidence of institutional cessation.”
The department said it had received reliable confirmation that two of the institutions, namely City Varsity (Pty) Ltd and ICESA City Campus (Pty) Ltd, have ceased operating, and are therefore not providing higher education within the meaning of the Act.
Moving forward, the Notice of Intent to cancel will be published in the Government Gazette in accordance with Section 63(a) of the Higher Education Act.
Also read: Warning to matriculants: Beware of unregistered institutions
The institutions will be allowed to make representations, as required by law. The Department promised to ensure that students affected by this process were supported through appropriate academic and administrative arrangements.
The minister warned that institutions that failed to meet their legal and educational obligations cannot be allowed to compromise the futures of the people they serve.
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