Students on high alert against illegal private colleges

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) would like to issue a high alert warning to prospective students, currently registered students, completed students and parents on the illegal operations of the Johannesburg City College operating from 2^nd Floor, Orion House at 49 Jorissen Street, Braamfontein.

Despite several attempts by the Department to disrupt their unlawful operations the college continues to operate illegally and swindle unsuspecting students.

In 2013 and 2015, the Department opened a case against the college with the South African Police Services (SAPS) in Hillbrow for the contravention of section 51 of the Higher Education Act, 1997. The case number is CAS601/3/2015. To date the police has not been able to shut down the college or charge the owner.

The Department would therefore like to send an urgent warning to both students and parents to remain vigilant against illegal, fly-by-night private colleges operating in the country especially this time of the year.

As a new legislative requirement all private Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) and Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) accredited providers are now required to register with the Department as private colleges.

This process is still in its early stages and therefore many SETA and QCTO accredited providers are not as yet registered with the Department. Thus, students are urged to verify the accreditation and registration status of private colleges and private higher education institutions, their programmes and sites, with the Department, the relevant SETAs and the QCTO.

Prospective students can access the private and public higher institutions registers on the Department’s website  or call the DHET on 0800 87 2222. Alternatively, contact the SETA and QCTO directly to enquire for the respective accredited providers.

It is also strongly advisable that students consult broadly with other students and employers as well as referencing the online review services like “HelloPeter” for more information. Students should be concerned if a college, programme and site does not appear in any of the above databases and registers.

Beware also of private colleges that register just one qualification with the Department only to offer several other unaccredited programmes under that licence. The Department has also observed a new trend of private colleges unscrupulously franchising their license to other providers. This practice is illegal.

Therefore, the Department wishes to urge students to remain on high alert and always verify information with the DHET website to ascertain the legality of any programme offered on a site by the institution of their choice before enrolling in order to avoid falling prey to illegal operations.

Supplied