Key Takeaways
- The Higher Education Minister, Buti Manamela, has issued a notice of intent to cancel the registration of three private colleges: Damelin, City Varsity, and ICESA City Campus.
- The decision is due to the institutions’ non-compliance with the Higher Education Act, including failure to submit statutory annual reports and provide audited financial statements.
- The department aims to protect students and maintain the integrity of the private higher education sector.
- City Varsity and ICESA City Campus have ceased operations, while Damelin’s status is still pending.
- The affected institutions will be given an opportunity to make representations before a final decision is made.
Introduction to the Cancellation Notice
The Department of Higher Education has taken a significant step towards regulating the private higher education sector in the country. Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has issued a notice of intent to cancel the registration of three private colleges, namely Damelin, City Varsity, and ICESA City Campus. This decision follows a pattern of non-compliance with the Higher Education Act, which has raised concerns about the institutions’ ability to provide quality education and manage their financial affairs effectively. The move is aimed at protecting students and maintaining the integrity of the private higher education sector, which has been plagued by issues of non-compliance and financial mismanagement in the past.
Non-Compliance with the Higher Education Act
The Department of Higher Education has cited several reasons for the notice of intent to cancel the registration of the three private colleges. One of the main reasons is the failure of the institutions to submit their statutory annual reports for 2024, despite multiple extensions and a final remedial deadline earlier this year. This is a serious breach of the Higher Education Act, which requires all higher education institutions to submit annual reports to the department. The reports are essential for monitoring the institutions’ compliance with the Act and ensuring that they are providing quality education to their students. Furthermore, the institutions have failed to provide audited financial statements, tax compliance documents, and proof of financial sustainability, which are critical for demonstrating their financial health and stability.
Cease of Operations by City Varsity and ICESA City Campus
The Department of Higher Education has confirmed that City Varsity and ICESA City Campus have ceased operations, meaning they are no longer offering higher education as defined by law. This is a significant development, as it means that the two institutions are no longer providing educational services to their students. The cancellation of their registration will likely have significant implications for the students who were enrolled at the institutions, as well as for the employees who worked there. The department has announced that measures are being put in place to support students should the cancellation process proceed. This may include providing alternative educational arrangements for the students, as well as offering support for their academic and personal well-being.
Implications of the Cancellation Notice
The notice of intent to cancel the registration of the three private colleges has significant implications for the private higher education sector as a whole. The decision sends a strong signal that the Department of Higher Education is committed to regulating the sector and ensuring that all institutions comply with the Higher Education Act. The cancellation of the registration of the three colleges may also have implications for other private colleges that are not complying with the Act. The department may use this as a precedent to take action against other non-compliant institutions, which could lead to a significant shake-up in the private higher education sector. Furthermore, the decision may also have implications for the students who were enrolled at the affected institutions, as well as for the employees who worked there.
Next Steps in the Cancellation Process
The notice of intent to cancel the registration of the three private colleges will now be published in the Government Gazette, which will give the affected institutions an opportunity to make representations. The institutions will be able to respond to the notice and provide evidence to support their case for why their registration should not be cancelled. The department will then consider the representations and make a final decision about whether to cancel the registration of the institutions. If the cancellation process proceeds, the department has announced that measures will be put in place to support students who were enrolled at the affected institutions. This may include providing alternative educational arrangements, as well as offering support for their academic and personal well-being. The department will also work to ensure that the cancellation process is managed in a way that minimizes disruption to the students and the broader higher education sector.
