South Africa: Basic Education Committee Warns Public to Check Accreditation of Private Institutions

The Portfolio Committee on Basic Education has cautioned parents, learners, students and the public at large to be wary of independent or private schools with fake accreditation or registration.

Committee Chairperson, Ms Nomalugelo Gina, said the public should insist on seeing the accreditation from the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, also known as Umalusi, before they register learners or students.

“They should not only insist on seeing the accreditation for the institution, but in the case of private colleges they should also verify the individual courses that are offered,” said Ms Gina. This warning comes after the Committee was briefed today by Umalusi on its budget review. The Chief Executive Officer said some private or independent institutions obtain Umalusi accreditation for a specific course but then they go on to offer various other courses for which they don’t have the accreditation.

“We don’t want parents or students to realise a few years down the line that the qualification obtained is not accredited,” Ms Gina said. The Committee was also informed that a class action had been brought in Durban against Umalusi by learners whose results were blocked as a result of pending group copying hearings. Umalusi indicated they would be defending the court action.

Ms Gina said: “The Committee takes note of this litigation. Hearings after such allegations are important to ensure the security of credibility examinations. The Committee will monitor the class action.”

Source: AllAfrica