The Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has announced the ordered closure of four private colleges owned by Educor, a leading private education provider in Southern Africa. This decision leaves thousands of students facing an uncertain future.
The colleges in question — Damelin, CityVarsity, Icesa City Campus, and Lyceum College — have been described as “dysfunctional” following a comprehensive investigation that unveiled a series of alarming practices, including the fabrication of exam results. The investigation, spearheaded by the Department of Higher Education, also found that these institutions have not submitted audited financial statements since 2020, casting doubt on their operational integrity.
Educor, which boasts a presence on more than 60 campuses both within South Africa and internationally, has yet to formally respond to the allegations brought against its colleges. Minister Nzimande’s findings revealed a multitude of grievances from students and staff alike, encompassing a wide range of issues from the poor quality of education, administrative negligence, to outright corruption, including allegations regarding the non-payment of staff salaries. Furthermore, Educor is accused of inflating student numbers to conceal a decline in enrollment, with the actual 2022 enrollment figures starkly contrasting with the provider’s claims.
Perhaps the most egregious of the findings is the accusation that some students’ examination marks were fabricated. “That’s the worst sin that can be committed by an education institution, whether public or private — you cannot just lie and give students marks based on scripts that were never marked,” Minister Nzimande stated, emphasizing the gravity of the misconduct.
The colleges have been granted until the end of the current year to wind down their operations. However, the process of deregistering these institutions commenced as early as July 2023, with the final decision being made recently. This closure affects over 13,000 students, many of whom are now without accommodation and face the daunting task of finding alternative institutions to continue their education. In the wake of this decision, parents and students alike have been seeking answers and refunds for tuition fees already paid for the year.
The South African Union of Students has expressed support for the deregistration, citing the welfare of students as a paramount concern. Similarly, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) has condemned Educor for its longstanding mistreatment of employees and students. This development marks a significant moment in South Africa’s education sector, highlighting the importance of regulatory oversight and the need for institutions to maintain high standards of integrity and accountability.
