There have been concerns about the future of the Educor group of colleges for a long time as students have reported closed campuses, missing lecturers and no response on exam marks.
This week the Department of Higher Education and Training cancelled the registration of Damelin, Lyceum, City Varsity, and Icesa City Campus. This means that the colleges concerned are not allowed to register any more students.
Minister Blade Nzimande explained at a media briefing that the law allowed for the establishment of private colleges and higher education institutions. However, these private institutions are legally required to be both registered and accredited.
Accreditation is related to the quality of the courses that they offer. Registration is more concerned about the financial viability of the institution to make sure that they can remain operational.
This is to ensure that students won't be disadvantaged if the college closes down while they are in the middle of a multi-year course.
The Minster confirmed that the colleges had their registration cancelled for gross compliance failures.
They had failed to submit their annual financial statements and tax clearance certificates for the 2021 and 2022 years - as proof of financial viability.
Nzimande explained that there were 13 096 registered students across the four brands, and not 50 000 as the group had claimed. He said that the colleges were dysfunctional and that his department received daily complaints and grievances from students and staff.
The complaints covered topics like the poor quality of teaching and learning, lack of admin support, poorly qualified lecturers, lack of professionalism, exploitation of poor students, non-payment of staff salaries and many more.
Nzimande questioned why the group were claiming higher numbers of students than they actually had. He added that there were serious allegations of corruption that his Department had laid with the group, but they had not received a response.
Way forward for students
Minister Blade Nzimande expressed his concern for the students who are currently registered at the colleges within the group. The institutions are required to stop operating and must not register any new students.
However, students who are already studying at one of the colleges will be given a phase-out period. This means that the college will be allowed to continue teaching them until they complete their course.
The Educor group must submit a plan to the Department within two weeks explaining how this will be done. Educor must also find alternative institutions for the students where necessary.
The Minister said his department would assist students in finding alternations for their studies.
The group must provide a transcript to students and issue a fee refund to students when it is due. Colleges are required to have a fidelity fund to cover the cost of fee refunds when necessary.
Nzimande expressed his concern that there is no confirmation on who is running Educor at the moment, and little evidence that they are working to deal with the problems.
He also warned the company to avoid engaging in a public relations exercise to spin the situation to their advantage - rather than actually dealing with the problems.
He encouraged staff who have labour law problems to consult the CCMA or the Labour Court for assistance.
