SA Quality Councils Warn Public to Verify Institutions, Stop 2026 Education Scams

While South Africa’s education and training system remains fundamentally credible, the entities cautioned that the increasing number of illegal operators poses grave risks.

South Africa’s quality councils have issued a strong nationwide warning to learners and parents to verify all institutions and qualifications before registering for post-school education and training in 2026. This coordinated appeal comes as fraudulent, unregistered and unaccredited providers continue to target vulnerable communities, threatening learners’ futures and causing major financial losses for families.

The warning was delivered during a joint media briefing in Pretoria by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), Umalusi, and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) — the country’s four main oversight bodies that safeguard the integrity of the education system.

Rise of Bogus Institutions a “Serious Threat”

While South Africa’s education and training system remains fundamentally credible, the entities cautioned that the increasing number of illegal operators poses grave risks.

Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi emphasised that no school — public or private — may issue any qualification unless properly registered and accredited.

He warned of a growing trend of fraudulent matric rewrite centres, unregistered tuition centres, and institutions offering fake shortcuts to the National Senior Certificate (NSC) or National Certificate Vocational (NCV).

“There are no shortcuts to a credible qualification,” Rakometsi said. “Any organisation offering a matric certificate without proper registration is deceiving the public.”

Occupational Training a New Target for Scammers

QCTO CEO Vijayen Naidoo sounded the alarm over institutions falsely claiming to offer occupational qualifications, including the coveted “Red Seal” trade test.

He noted that as opportunities expand in occupational and vocational training — especially in fast-growing sectors like renewable energy, solar photovoltaic installation and hybrid vehicle technologies — scammers have increased efforts to exploit learners.

“A QCTO qualification is only valid if offered by a QCTO-accredited provider and assessed through a QCTO-accredited trade test centre,” Naidoo stressed.

He added that some illegal providers operate entirely online, promising guaranteed certificates or fast-track trade tests — none of which are legitimate.

Alarmingly, Naidoo also confirmed that the QCTO has uncovered unscrupulous activities even among some accredited institutions, prompting joint enforcement action with SAQA, DHET and law enforcement.

Transition From Pre-2009 Legacy Qualifications

The country is nearing the final phase of phasing out outdated pre-2009 legacy qualifications. Key deadlines include:

• Last enrolment: June 2026

• Completion deadlines: June 2027 to June 2029 (depending on programme teach-out periods)

Learners must consult their institutions to transition smoothly into updated occupational qualifications through the national credit accumulation and transfer system.

Higher Education Sector Warns of Limited Capacity

CHE CEO Dr Whitfield Green reiterated that South Africa’s higher education system is credible, but demand far outweighs capacity.

Out of 815,000 matric candidates, the post-school system can absorb only about half — a gap frequently exploited by bogus colleges operating outside official accreditation structures.

Green urged students to verify ALL higher education qualifications and institutions through:

• SAQA’s NQF qualification search

• DHET’s Register of Private Higher Education Institutions

• CHE’s accreditation listings

“If it is not accredited by the CHE and not registered on the NQF, it is an illegitimate qualification,” Green said.

Sector Reforms Underway

CHE also announced several reforms expected to reshape higher education:

• New policy on institutional types (universities, university colleges, higher education colleges)

• Revised Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework

• Policy enabling joint or collaborative qualifications with international partners

• A review of hybrid and blended learning models post-COVID

• A full national review of initial teacher education qualifications in 2026

Heartbreaking Impact on Poor Communities

CHE Communications Manager Ntokozo Bhengu appealed for public vigilance, highlighting the devastating consequences scams have on rural families.

She recounted cases where parents sold livestock to pay tuition fees to fraudulent colleges, only to discover later that the qualification was worthless.

“By then, the kraal is empty. There is not a single cow left,” Bhengu said. “We plead with the media to help us prevent this unnecessary pain and suffering.”

Final Appeal: Verify Before You Register

The entities concluded with a united message to the Class of 2025, families, teachers and community leaders: Your future is too important to risk. Always verify first.

Official verification platforms include:

• QCTO: www.qcto.org.za

• SAQA: Qualification search on NQF

• DHET: National registers of institutions

The quality councils reaffirmed their commitment to protecting learners, strengthening employer partnerships and closing every gap exploited by fraudsters.

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