Don’t let fake colleges selling fake qualifications take your money. Prior to enrolment, students MUST verify the credentials of privateĀ colleges or institutions by contacting the DHET Call Centre on the numbers provided.
How Fake Colleges Fake Qualifications Take Real Money
Fake colleges offer fake qualifications that can end up costing you money.
Fake Private Colleges: Check The DHET Bogus College List
Learners who fail to check their provider’s credentials are asking for trouble. š There are too many cons out there!
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has lodged a total of 21 cases with the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the past four years to investigate suspicions of unlawful practices in the private higher education sector.
These cases were reported between 2012 and 2017 and are at different levels of investigation with SAPS. They range from allegations of unregistered institutions, illegal use of qualifications and offering of unregistered programmes.
Real Private Colleges and their Qualifications
Click here for a list of registered private colleges and also expand your search for alternative study opportunities.
This is a comprehensive list of currently registered learnerships, click this link to see what opportunities to look out for. A pipeline of new qualifications is being developed, so thereās a lot of stuff to keep up to date with! Follow Keep Climbing and keep up to date! š
Here are links to the lists of the wide range of Job Qualifications that are now available:
Qualifications lead you to the providers that are accredited to deliver them.
- NQF. Level 1 and 2 for those with little or no high school and limited if any work experience.
- NQF Level 3 qualifications for those with some high school and little or no work experience.
- Exciting NQF Level 4 qualificationsĀ for Matriculants or experienced workers.
- NQF Level 5 for managers
- NQF Level 6 for professionals.
The Rules Regarding College Registration
A college is fake if they don’t meet these requirements
Registration and regulation functions for private higher education institutions are governed in accordance with the Higher Education Act No. 101, 1997 and Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions (Gazette No 39880, 2016).
The requirement to register a private higher education institution only applies to institutions offering learning programmes that result in the awarding of qualifications such as certificates, diplomas or degrees at the higher education level.
The purpose of the legislation is to ensure that education and training institutions:
- operate within the law,
- have the necessary resources, capacity and expertise to offer acceptable standards of higher education qualifications that are aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Fake Colleges Offer Fake Qualifications
DHET is aware of several colleges and institutions either not duly registered with theĀ Department in accordance with regulations or that offer unaccredited higherĀ education programmes.
In dealing with these institutions the Department will from time to time embark on mass public awareness campaigns at targeted major public venues and taxi ranks around the country to sensitise both prospecting students and parents on the pitfalls of illegal or bogus colleges.
Early in 2017, the Department in partnership with local law enforcement authorities forcibly shut down several fake colleges during an impromptu inspection blitz in Braamfontein and downtown Johannesburg for operating fraudulently and contravening the relevant legislations in the private college sector. Some of the cases were referred to the police for further investigations.
Cases Against Fake Colleges
The Department will continue to monitor the status of these cases through regular contact and enquiries with the relevant investigating officers.
The Department urges matriculants and students seeking study opportunities to be vigilant and to ensure that they authenticate the accreditation credentials of institutions before enrolling.
Prior to enrolment, students MUST verify the credentials of private colleges or institutions by contacting the DHET Call Centre on 0800 87 2222.
