As the new academic year approaches, prospective students and their families are being urged to be cautious when enrolling in higher education institutions.
With the rise of unregistered “bogus” colleges, learners risk investing time and money into qualifications that may not be recognised.
Government communications has issued a reminder to verify the legitimacy of any institution before applying or paying fees.
“Always verify any institution of higher learning before applying; look for the certificate of registration from the department on the premises of the college or visit the DHET website to confirm,” officials said.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) also echoed these concerns, issuing an alert to the 2025 matric cohort, when selecting higher education institutions.
“These illegal institutions operate without the requisite accreditation from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) or the Council on Higher Education (CHE), ultimately issuing qualifications that hold no value in the professional labour market,” the PSA said.
“The rise of these predatory entities represents a significant threat to public confidence in the national education system and places an undue financial burden on hardworking families,” the association added.
The PSA urged students to verify accreditation and be wary of red flags, including lack of permanent infrastructure, pressure for full upfront payments, or promises of guaranteed employment.
“Resilience in academic pursuit must be matched by diligence in verifying your chosen institution. Students and families must take responsibility to safeguard their futures,” the PSA said.
Last year, the government also raised concerns over compliance among private colleges, leading to moves to deregister certain institutions.
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) issued a notice of intent to cancel the registrations of three private colleges citing “prolonged non-compliance” with the Higher Education Act and related regulations.
DHET spokesperson Matshepo Seedat revealed that the institutions failed to submit their mandatory 2024 annual reports despite granted extensions and did not provide audited financial statements, tax compliance certificates, proof of financial surety, or occupational health and safety documentation.
Saturday Star
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