Central police in partnership with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) held an awareness campaign in Marabastad on May 3 to warn students about bogus institutions of higher learning.
SAQA is a statutory body, regulated in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act and mandated by legislation to oversee the development and implementation of the national qualifications framework (NQF).
Police spokesperson, Constable Thabang Nkhumise said: “The sole purpose of the outreach was to educate the community about bogus institutions, NQF levels and other related services offered by the authority.
A walkabout was conducted, many pamphlets and goody bags were distributed and we also engaged with both the youth and adults about the services SAQA renders such as verification of qualifications and evaluation of foreign qualifications to assist in ensuring that qualifications are registered at the Department of Higher Education.”
SAQA also ensures that qualifications are registered on the NQF and that institutions of higher learning are registered with the Department of Higher Education.
In late March, higher education minister, Blade Ndzimandane announced that four private private education provider Educor owned institutions were deregistered for various irregularities.
The department said Educor and the affected colleges had failed to submit audited financial statements to the government, including tax clearance certificates since 2020 as required by law.
The four institutions included Lyceum College, Damelin, CityVarsity and Icesa City Campus.
“This partnership will ensure students and parents do not fall into the trap of crime by obtaining fake qualifications,” said station commander Brigadier Gibin Hlengane Mashaba.
“This will assist the youth in recognising their full potential further to acquire skills and knowledge in a number of fields of studies they want to pursue. More engagements of this nature will take place and other institutions will be incorporated to ensure that the community does not fall victim to bogus institutions.”
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