How to Check College Credentials. Check that the institution you are registering with is correctly accredited to deliver training and education services by following these steps.
Check College: Use these contacts to check Your college is registered
Fraudsters operate in education and training as they understand how to take advantage of your dreams and rob you of your chances.
Check College Accreditation: Bogus Education and Training
There are many different types of education and training providers. you must always check college credentials before paying any fees.
Is your college accredited?: Check College Out
We published the list of bogus operators caught by the DHET, be sure to check it out! Institutions cancel their registration status if they wish to cease to operate, see our list of cancelled registrations and those that lost their registration status for other reasons.
Check College: Beware of Bogus Operators
Find registered private colleges on this list released by the DHET.
Use the contacts provided below to research organisations.
Go onto the regulatory body websites, such as the DHET and the QCTO. They publish lists of registered and accredited institutions, however, this doesn’t mean the organisations are highly recommended.
You still need to research organisations to find out how they help you gain employment, and work experience and mentor you to achieve your career goals.
School-level education provider registrations:
- The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) contact number: 080872222
- Your provincial Department of Education (links are on the DHET website).
- UMALUSI: provide them with your provider’s accreditation number and they will verify their status.
Post Matric / Higher Education qualification providers register with:
- Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
- Tel: 080872222.
- Council on Higher Education (CHE). You can contact the CHE directly for a list of private providers.
- Tel: 012 349 3840
- Email: admin@che.org.za
FET/TVET colleges register with:
- The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
- Tel: 080872222
- Contact the DHET for a list of private FET Colleges
Trade and Occupations providers:
- The appropriate Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) or the QCTO.
- Here’s a list of SETAs
Ask the questions: Check College
It’s your right to ask providers for proof of their registration/accreditation. Ask them for their certificate then contact the authority that issued it. But that’s not enough! Check the expiry dates on all documentation and that the qualification you’re registering for is listed.
The DHET Warns of the Following Suspicious Business Conduct: Check College
Students are warned to look out for the following kinds of behaviour from institutions:
a. People who work for these colleges say that you will get a job after you finish, even though they can’t promise this.
b. Some websites and people say that if you pay for one degree, you can get two degrees, or they offer really big discounts.
c. They use fancy names for the degrees that make them sound better than they are.
d. Fake colleges sometimes use official-looking things like seals and logos to make it look like they are a real college or university.
e. They say that they are accredited when they really aren’t, to make people think they are a good college.
f. They use names that sound like really famous universities to trick people.
g. The application form doesn’t ask for important information like proof that you went to school or your identification.
h. They say you can get a degree really fast, even in just one year, which is not normal.
i. They don’t have a real address for where their college or university is.
j. Some places say they can give you a degree from a university in another country, but they are not really connected to that university.
k. They talk a lot about how their degrees are “internationally accredited,” even though this may not mean anything.
How to Protect Yourself
Students are advised to register their complaints on HELLOPETER so as to alert other students.
Student rights are enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997) and its Regulations, the Continuing Education and Training Colleges Act, 2006 (Act No. 16 of 2006) and its Regulations and the Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (Act No. 68 of 2008), which protects consumers from unconscionable, unfair, unreasonable, unjust or otherwise improper trade or practices; and deceptive, misleading, unfair or fraudulent conduct.
This Act further highlights the following:
a. Consumer’s right to cancel advance reservation, booking or order;
b. Consumer’s rights with respect to delivery of goods or supply of service;
c. Right to information in plain and understandable language;
d. Right to fair and honest dealing;
e. Right to fair, just and reasonable terms and conditions; and
f. Right to fair value, good quality and safety.
The Office of the Consumer Commission can be contacted at 0861843384.
Be aware and #KeepClimbing!
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