With the new academic year in full swing and learners coming straight from matric going into institutions of higher learning, they and other members of the public are urged to be careful when choosing an institution to enroll in.
Umalusi, the quality assurance body, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), Quality Council for Trades and Occupation (QCTO), Council on Higher Education (CHE) jointly addressed the media regarding bogus institutions of higher learning and dealing with fake, fraudulent and misinterpreted qualifications.
The public is urged to always check if the institutions they are interested in enrolling into, are legitimate institutions of higher learning and that the said qualification they want to pursue, is accredited by CHE and registered with SAQA.
According to Umalusi, higher education qualifications can only be offered by recognised and registered higher education institutions. These include public institutions such as the 26 universities, some colleges and registered private higher education institutions. These institutions can also only offer qualifications that have been accredited by the CHE and registered by SAQA.
Umalusi CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi said they remain concerned about unaccredited private institutions that continue to register candidates, fully aware that they are operating unlawfully. He said it’s Umalusi that accredits registered independent schools and registered private colleges to offer either National Senior Certificates (NSC), National Certificate: Vocational and General Education Training Certificate (GETC).
“Fake certificates are issued by scammers and fraudsters who are not employees of Umalusi. I would like to warn members of the public to desist from buying fake certificates,” Dr Rakometsi said.
To check the legitimacy of a higher education institution and whether the qualification it offers is accredited by CHE and registered by SAQA, visit the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) website www.dhet.goc.za to access the list of registered private institutions or visit the SAQA website on https://reggs.saqa.org/za. You can also contact CHE on 012 349 3885 or e-mail Bhengu.n@che.ac.za if you are concerned that an institution may be operating illegally or offering unaccredited and or unregistered qualifications.
Should you discover that an institution is operating illegally, advise the relevant education department of the unregistered institution, and send an e-mail to Umalusi accreditations.co.za) to report the institution.