The scourge of fake qualifications in South Africa is growing rapidly. Here’s what employers can do. Image: File/Fotor
FAKE qualifications in South Africa: What’s being done about it?
The scourge of fake qualifications in South Africa is on the rise. Here’s what employers can do to protect themselves …
The scourge of fake qualifications in South Africa is growing rapidly. Here’s what employers can do. Image: File/Fotor
Government is warning employers about fake qualifications in South Africa, reports Business Tech. This comes from Umalusi, the council for general and further education.
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Misrepresenting yourself in an interview is one thing. However, the organisation is seeing something far worse. Namely, a rise in fake qualifications from unaccredited private institutions. These criminals wilfully trick young, vulnerable students. Likewise, there are fake certificates/diplomas bought knowingly from fraudsters in the hope of duping a potential employer.
FAKE QUALIFICATIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
At a joint media event held recently, Umalusi said it was concerned about the proliferation of bogus private learning institutions. Moreover, the sharp increase in fake qualifications in South Africa is affected many employers negatively.
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A countermeasure from Umalusi is South Africa’s certification database. Run by the South African Qualifications Authority, there is a National Learners` Records Database (NLRD) which keeps record of all genuine qualifications in South Africa.
REAL ASSESSMENT BODIES
Genuine assessment bodies any curriculum must be affiliated to in South Africa are the following. The National Senior Certificate from the Department of Basic Education (DEB), the Independent Examinations Board (IEB), and South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI). Beware if a learning institution is not linked to any of the above.
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Employers can verify the validity of a fake qualifications in South Africa on the Umalusi website HERE. Moreover, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is cracking down on unaccredited institutions with non-existent programs, and the selling of fraudulent certificates. To date, 11 suspects have been arrested, including an employee of the Department of Higher Education in December 2023, for issuing fraudulent diplomas.
BOGUS INSTITUTIONS
Moreover, bogus institutions are getting more sophisticated in how they con unsuspecting students. They send out realistic-looking accreditation certificates and emails. Some have used the Umalusi logo on authentic recreations of registration letters. Students even take exams using older question papers downloaded from provincial education department websites.
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