Higher education department rules on validity of Educor qualifications

The Department of Higher Education says qualifications issued or obtained during the period of registration and the phase-out period of Educor institutions remain valid and recognised.

In March, the department cancelled the registration of the four Educor institutions, namely, City Varsity (Pty) Ltd, Damelin (Pty) Ltd, Icesa City Campus (Pty) Ltd, and Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd.

QUALIFICATIONS FROM EDUCOR COLLEGES REMAIN VALID

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said the four institutions failed to comply to submit their annual financial statements and tax clearance certificate for the year 2021 and 2022.

The four institutions were meant to amend this by September 2023 but they requested and extension to lodge their appeal by 28 February 2024. The department has not heard anything since.

This week, the Department of Higher Education said it was mindful of the potential impact that the decision to cancel these colleges’ registration might have on students’ ability to complete their qualifications.

“The qualifications issued or obtained during the registration and the phase-out period remain valid and recognised. This assurance was also communicated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

“This means that the four Educor colleges still must award the students their qualifications during the period of registration and the phase-
out period,” the department explained.

In addition, the four Educor colleges must ensure that they conclude the remaining examinations or assessments for the remainder of the current academic year.

According to IOL, SAQA’s Makhapha Makhafola said graduates from the four institutions should not worry.

Makhafola said when students are registered by any institution that is recognised in certain programs, their students are automatically captured in the national learners’ database. This is the responsibility of the South African Qualifications Authority.

“Any student that is registered or has achieved before the current challenges, they are on our (database), and they are recognized in terms of those achievements,” he explained.

DEPARTMENT ISSUES STERN WARNING TO BOGUS INSTITUTIONS

The Department of Higher Education also issued a stern warning to existing private higher education institutions.

As the regulator of both public and private institutions, the department said it will not hesitate to cancel the registration of any institution that willfully violates the conditions
of their registration.

“Further to this, the department also wishes to warn individuals or groups who may be operating or intend to establish bogus institutions. Working with the SAPS, we will close down any bogus colleges should we become aware of their existence,” the department concluded.

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