South Africa’s quality councils have issued a nationwide warning to learners and parents to verify institutions and qualifications before registering for post-school education and training in 2026, as fraudulent and unaccredited providers continue to target the public.

The call was made on Friday during a joint media briefing of the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), Umalusi, and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

At the briefing in Pretoria, the entities stressed that while the country’s education system remains credible, the rise of bogus institutions poses a serious threat to learners’ futures and families’ finances.

Umalusi chief executive officer (CEO), Dr Mafu Rakometsi, warned and emphasised that no school public or private, may operate or issue qualifications without being properly registered and accredited.

He noted that while the majority of schools comply with legislation, Umalusi continues to encounter illegal operators who promise “quick” matric certificates or shortcuts into the National Senior Certificate (NSC) system.

“Parents and learners must understand that only institutions registered with the provincial education departments and accredited by Umalusi may offer qualifications such as the NSC and NCV [National Certificate Vocational],” Rakometsi said.

He warned that fraudulent matric rewrite centres, back-room tuition centres, and institutions using misleading names often emerge during the matric results period, preying on anxious learners.

“There are no shortcuts in achieving a credible qualification. Any organisation that claims to issue a matric certificate without proper registration is deceiving the public,” said the quality assurance body CEO.

Appeal to the public

During the briefing, CHE Communications Manager Ntokozo Bhengu made an appeal, highlighting the devastating effect bogus institutions have on families especially in rural areas.

“It saddens us when you find a student from a rural area whose parents had to sell livestock to pay for tuition, only to discover upon graduation that the qualification is not registered. The student has been duped and scammed, and the parents have lost money. By then, the kraal is empty. There is not a single cow left because they were trying to invest in the future of their child.

“We plead with the media to help us elevate the message and spread it across the country so that it reaches all students and parents to avoid this unnecessary pain and suffering,” Bhengu urged.

Verify before you register

The entities concluded the briefing with a unified message to the class of 2025, parents, teachers, and community leaders to verify the institution, and the programme offered because their future is too important to risk.

Accredited qualifications and providers can be checked on the:
•    QCTO website: www.qcto.org.za
•    SAQA qualification search
•    DHET registers
The quality councils reaffirmed their commitment to protecting learners, strengthening employer partnerships, and closing the space for fraudsters. – SAnews.gov.za