THE Department of Basic Education is expected to release the Class of 2022 matric results next week and, in the run-up to this, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande has issued a stern warning to prospective tertiary students and their parents to be careful of illegal or ‘fly-by-night’ colleges.
Nzimande said these ‘fly-by-night’ colleges are not registered as institutions of learning with the correct Sector Education and Training Authorities (Seta), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), or other relevant bodies.
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“These institutions lure and mislead future students into believing that they offer qualifications that are recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
“They offer compromised qualifications that are not recognised for employment purposes or further studying,” he said.
Nzimande explained that his department has been successful in shutting down these illegal operators. However, while the department may be hard at work eliminating unregistered colleges, there are still many students who continue to register [with them] and are unlawfully granted these fake qualifications.
“The number of colleges that are operating illegally has decreased tremendously over the years. The decrease can be attributed to our monitoring awareness campaigns and our collaboration with both print and electronic media,” said Nzimande.
He added that his department is working closely with law enforcement agencies to close down these colleges. He further advised students who want to enrol at private colleges to check the registration status of such private colleges with the department through its toll-free number 0800 872222.
Alternatively, students can log on to the department’s website where the ‘Register of Private Colleges’ is published and updated regularly.
The website address is www.dhet.gov.za/resources/registers
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