No basis for protests
Umalusi has been instructed to resolve the problem with certificates within 20 days.
After recent protests by students at the Gert Sibande TVET College Ermelo campus, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training (DHET) Mr Mduduzi Manana shed light on the matter.
Students alleged that their Primary Health course was neither registered nor accredited with the South African Qualifications Authority.
They further alleged that this transpired after some of the students, who had already qualified, could not get work-based education, because their course was not accredited.
The students had again leveled allegations against the DHET that the certificates they received were bogus.
During an interview with the Highvelder on Saturday, Mr Manana said there was no way that his department could offer a course that would not serve any need in society.
He did, however, say they were aware that some of the students experienced difficulties when they had to undergo their work-integrated programme. According to him, it was the National Department of Health (NDH) that had not informed its sister provincial departments so that they in turn could inform districts, hospitals and clinics about this programme.
“Our part as the DHET was to develop a programme on Primary Health and we did that in 12 TVET colleges out of the 50 colleges we have, as per request of the end user, the NDH. They had to then communicate with their relevant structures about the course,” said Mr Manana.
He also said part of the problem was that some of the students believed they would be nurses after completing the course, whereas they could become councillors, home-based care community workers and even first aiders.
“This programme gives students a pathway to the health profession,” he said.
When asked about allegations of bogus certificates, Mr Manana replied that the students had complained that the certificates looked bogus, as they did not reflect their actual credits.
“I met with Umalusi (The Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training) to rectify the problem and all the certificates that were issued have since been recalled to be rectified. I must stress, though, that the initial certificates were legit,” said Mr Manana.
Mr Manana said his department was working tirelessly to rectify any errors and to allay any fears. He concluded by saying that the problem was currently being resolved and Umalusi has been instructed to resolve the problem with certificates within 20 days.
