Four tertiary institutions deregistered for non-compliance

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The Department of Higher Education and Training has cancelled the registration of four Educor institutions after failing to submit proof of their financial viability to the department.

According to the department City Varsity, Damelin, Icesa City Campus and Lyceum College failed to comply with the requirements of the 2016 Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions and the applicable sections of the Higher Education Act.

During a media briefing held in Pretoria on Tuesday, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande said the new regulations outline the application process, requirements for registration, responsibility of an institution and the appeals procedure that must be followed by individuals or entities that wish to register a private higher education institution.

Further to this, the Nzimande stated that Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) is responsible for the accreditation of higher education programmes.

Institutions failure to submit financial viability proof

Nzimande revealed that the Educor institutions failed to submit their annual financial statements and tax clearance certificates for the 2021 and 2022 years as proof of their financial viability. 

According to the Minister, the four institutions were required to lodge an appeal with him on or before 26 September 2023.

“They then requested an extension to 28 February 2024, and are now seeking a further extension. In addition to failing to submit evidence of their financial viability to the department.

“The four Educor brands can be deemed as dysfunctional and this is mainly measured against the daily complaints and grievances received from students, most of which remain unresolved,” Nzimande said.

The minister added that complaints include poor quality of teaching and learning; lack of proper administrative support; poorly qualified staff; corruption and bribery; lack of response for requests for refunds and lack of professionalism.

The students also complained about exploitation of poor students; non-payment of staff salaries; and under-payment of staff salaries.  

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“These complaints extend to the other brands such as INTEC College (Pty) Ltd and Damelin Correspondence College (Pty) Ltd, which fall under the jurisdiction of the Quality Council of Trades and Occupations (QCTO).

“The QCTO has not been able to restore stability within these two institutions and students continue to be exploited. These complaints also extend to the offering of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) accredited programmes.

“The SETAs have not been able to restore stability with the Educor institutions and students continue to be exploited,” Nzimande concluded.

Article sourced: SAgovNews