As 2026 approaches, Umalusi is urging learners and parents to carefully check that any post-school institution is legitimate before registering.

CEO Mafu Rakometsi warns that unaccredited and fraudulent colleges are still targeting students across South Africa.

The warning came during a joint media briefing on Friday by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), Umalusi, and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Rakometsi stressed that no school, public or private, is allowed to operate or issue qualifications without proper registration and accreditation.

“Parents and learners must understand that only institutions registered with the provincial education departments and accredited by Umalusi may offer qualifications such as the NSC and NCV (National Certificate Vocational).”

Umalusi, the body responsible for maintaining quality standards in further education and training, says verifying an institution’s credentials can protect families from scams, wasted money, and lost time.

“We are busy doing awareness campaigns across the country to make sure that people are aware of the bogus intuitions. It is important to note that there are no shortcuts in achieving a credible qualification. Any organisation that claims to issue a matric certificate without proper registration is deceiving the public.”