South Africa
Prospective students warned against bogus colleges─── ZENANDE MPAME 15:42 Mon, 29 Jan 2024
“These institutions lure and mislead prospective students into believing they offer qualifications recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority.”
Students who are entering higher learning institutions in 2024 have been warned to be aware of bogus colleges that aren’t registered with the Sector Education and Training Authorities or any other relevant bodies.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) said it is still a mystery to them how these bogus colleges pop up in huge numbers at the beginning of every academic year.
“These illegal colleges offer compromised qualifications which are not recognised for employment purposes or for further studying,” said Minister of Higher Education Dr. Blade Nzimande.
Minister of Higher Education Dr. Blade Nzimande said students must verify if institutions are registered. Picture: gov. za
“I urge all students and parents to first verify if institutions are registered with the department.”
Prospective students who want to enroll in private colleges are encouraged to first check the registration status of these colleges with the Department of Higher Education and Training or they can alternatively log on to the website of the department to find updated lists of registered private colleges.
“Students should make informed decisions about colleges they are going to attend, in this case, parents and children must visit these institutions to verify their legitimacy,” said Specialist Investigator Mike Bolhuis.
Students should make informed decisions about the colleges they are going to attend. Picture: mikebolhuis.co.za
“We have exposed so many of these with the most beautiful pamphlets and offices, parents pay and then it turns out to be a bogus college.”
A spokesperson of the department said in 2021 the department had discovered 89 fraudulent private higher education institutes that were operating in South Africa.
These bogus colleges use a variety of strategies, such as using the DHET brand and logo, to persuade vulnerable students.
‘Students should verify whether their colleges are registered’
How to check the accreditation of a college:
• To make sure that the institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training.
• To make sure that the institutions are accredited with Umalusi to offer a specific qualification.
