The Department of Higher Education has just announced a major update: Educor colleges, including Damelin, CityVarsity, and Lyceum College, have been re-registered.
These institutions had been deregistered earlier due to management issues and non-compliance with departmental requirements.
After a thorough review, the colleges are now under strict deadlines to adhere to the regulations.
Educor Colleges Resume Operations
Higher Education Director-General Nkosinathi Sishi shared the news that Educor Colleges are back in business.
He highlighted that this decision was made on humanitarian grounds, emphasizing the need for compliance with regulatory timelines.
“The minister decided to re-register the institution for humanitarian reasons,” Sishi explained.
“We expect strict adherence to the set timelines and regulatory requirements.”
Educor, serving over 50,000 students across its campuses, has faced serious allegations of mismanagement and unpaid staff.
There have also been concerns about the quality of education and unresolved student grievances, raising questions about the future of these colleges.
Reflecting on a Troubled Past
Earlier this year, the Department of Higher Education took action by deregistering Educor’s institutions.
The colleges had failed to provide necessary documentation, such as tax clearance certificates and financial statements for 2021 and 2022.
Minister Blade Nzimande pointed out that Educor’s failure to demonstrate financial viability was a major factor in the deregistration.
“Educor did not meet the critical requirement of showing financial stability, as stipulated by the 2016 Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions,” Nzimande said.
He also noted other issues, including poor teaching quality, unqualified staff, and unresolved complaints about administrative failures and corruption.
Ongoing Challenges Ahead
Despite the re-registration, Educor Colleges are still facing significant challenges.
Nzimande revealed that the actual student enrollment is around 13,000, not the 50,000 that was claimed.
Furthermore, several campuses, including those in Braamfontein and East London, have shut down due to unpaid staff and municipal bills.
What lies ahead for Educor Colleges remains uncertain as they navigate these ongoing issues.
