WARNING: Students told to avoid fly-by-night colleges
More than 10 private colleges were exposed for non-compliance with relevant legislation.
Would-be students must be on the lookout for bogus private higher education institutions, said the department of higher education.
The department urged students to verify the accreditation and registration status of institutions they want to study at.
They can do this with the department, relevant SETAs, council on higher education and Umalusi.
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This comes after more than 10 private colleges were exposed for non-compliance with relevant legislation.
The findings came after a three-week nationwide inspection by the department.
The campaign was conducted in partnership with local law enforcement authorities in Rustenburg, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit, Polokwane and Bloemfontein.
One common illegal practice was registering just one qualification with the relevant quality council and fraudulently adding several other unaccredited programmes under that licence.
Most of these colleges were found to offer unaccredited courses such as electrical engineering studies N1-N6; civil engineering N1-N6; medical secretary N4-N6; national policing diploma and financial accounting, among others.
“This illegal practice lures many prospective students into obtaining qualifications that won’t be recognised by employers,” said the department.
The department instructed offending operators to stop offering unaccredited programmes immediately and to refund affected students.
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The department blamed the situation on a lack of space at public universities and colleges as well as anxious parents who wanted their children to access post-school education and training.
This resulted in many prospective students enrolling at unregistered private higher education institutions and colleges that mushroom this time of the year.
Prospective students can access the private higher education institutions and college registers on the department’s website. Registers or alternatively call a toll-free number: 0800-87-2222.
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