As the issue of unaccredited institutions and certificates remains a persistent problem in South Africa, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) partners – the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and Umalusi – emphasised the importance of verifying qualifications amid the battle to combat fraud and ensure that institutions are accredited.

“When learners fall victim to scams, they not only lose their money and their time, they lose access to opportunities . . . the damage is personal, it’s financial and it’s national.

“This, I may say, is becoming a national scourge in our country – the issue of bogus colleges and misrepresented qualifications, as well as fraudulent and fake certificates. This joint briefing must send a clear message – there is only one coordinated NQF system,” said QCTO CEO Vujayen Naidoo during a joint media briefing on December 5.

Regarding occupational qualifications, Naidoo clarified that a QCTO qualification was only valid if offered by a QCTO-accredited skills development provider and assessed through a QCTO-accredited trade test or assessment centre.

In the higher education space, CHE CEO Dr Whitfield Green also cautioned against registering at “bogus institutions” – institutions that were not accredited to offer higher education qualifications, adding that their qualifications were not registered on the Higher Education Qualification sub-framework and on the NQF.

“There's no grey area,” he said.

“Bogus institutions are institutions where qualifications that are not accredited by the CHE and their qualifications do not appear on the NQF, and you have to make sure those conditions are in place, regardless of what the institution tries to tell you,” he urged the public.

Also speaking at the briefing, Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi warned that the prevalence of unregulated qualifications had the potential to create a fragmented education landscape in South Africa with significant implications for learners and the broader education system.

Concerning the International Secondary Certificate (ISC), which was developed in South Africa by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) and offered outside the country, Umalusi highlighted, in a joint media release, that it did not get involved in the quality assurance of this qualification.

It noted that this was because the ISC is neither registered as a qualification on the NQF under the custodianship of SAQA, nor accredited by Umalusi or any other quality council established through the amended NQF Act.

In the media release, the parties explained that Umalusi had accredited the IEB solely as a private assessment body to administer the General Education and Training Certificate (GETC) - Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) and National Senior Certificate (NSC) within the borders of South Africa.

It noted that SAQA submitted its support in relation to this matter and pledged to work with Umalusi to ensure stakeholders understood the consequences around the issues.

DEVELOPMENTS

Meanwhile, Naidoo noted that South Africa was transitioning from outdated pre-2009 qualifications to modern, occupational qualifications that were aligned with industry needs and the demands of today's economy.

In the joint media release, the parties noted that all qualifications already achieved remained valid. However, learners who had not yet completed their pre-2009 qualifications must act according to timelines.

The last date for enrolment is June 30, extended to June 2026, while the completion deadline is between June 2027 and June 2029, depending on the approved teach-out period.

In the release, the QCTO noted that learners still completing pre-2009 qualifications should speak to their training provider about transitioning to an occupational qualification through the Credit Accumulation and Transfer system.

It stated that this transition was not simply a replacement exercise; it was about aligning qualifications with the current industry needs and creating pathways into future-focused careers.

The QCTO further indicated that it had over 900 occupational qualifications/part qualifications registered on the NQF, including qualifications that support the Just Energy Transition in areas such as green hydrogen, solar PV service and renewable energy.

Further, the parties highlighted developments in the higher education space and the CHE.

This includes the implementation of the 2025 Policy on Institutional Types, introducing universities, university colleges and higher education colleges; a revised Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework, to be published soon; and the development of a new policy enabling joint or collaborative qualifications between local and international institutions.

Additionally, reference was made to a national review of hybrid and blended teaching modalities across the sector; and a national review of all initial teacher education qualifications, including the Bachelor of Education and Postgraduate Certificate in Education.

“We do have a challenge in terms of providing viable post-school education and training opportunities for South Africa's population, and if you're going to contribute to a growing economy, you certainly have to be providing additional opportunities,” said Green during the briefing.