Education quality control council Umalusi says it’s seriously concerned about the mushrooming of bogus online schools as well as the increase in the reported cases of fake certificates being sold to unsuspecting members of the public.

CLAMPING DOWN ON BOGUS INSTITUTIONS

The organisation says it is currently working with the police to clamp down on those institutions. Spokesperson Biki Lepota said Umalusi is currently working with the SAPS on various cases that concern unaccredited institutions that have admitted students into non-existing programmes. �"Such institutions circulate fake Umalusi accreditation certificates or fake e-mails purporting to be accredited by Umalusi. Some institutions issue students with fake letters bearing the Umalusi logo which letters are purported to be legitimate registration letters,” Lepota said. He said in addition, the institutions make students write exams using old question papers accessed from the websites of provincial education departments.

NO ONLINE SCHOOLS ACCREDITED TO OFFER MATRIC

Umalusi CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, said to date, the education quality assurance has not accredited any online school to offer any of its qualifications. Rakometsi said Umalusi is not aware of any such institutions having been registered by any provincial education department. He urged the public to visit their website to verify the accreditation status of an independent school or a private college.

"Similarly, members of the public are warned against buying fake certificates that are advertised through various social media platforms,” he said. The public is warned that the practice of selling and buying fake certificates is a criminal offence that is punishable by law. Umalusi condemns this fraudulent activity in the strongest possible terms," added Rakometsi. Employers in the public and private sectors are advised to verify their current or future employees’ qualifications through the agencies that Umalusi has contracts with. Their names are available on the Umalusi website. The public is also urged to report any case that involves operating an illegal institution to the relevant provincial education department.