The growing concern over unregistered schools continues to make headlines as parents across the country report being misled into paying substantial fees for what they believed would be quality education for their children. Despite investing thousands of rands, many families are left heartbroken when they discover that the institutions they entrusted with their children’s future are not registered with the Department of Basic Education, leaving them vulnerable and without recourse.
One such mother, who enrolled her child at a private school in Durban North, shared her painful experience in the hope of sparking change. Her son, who has a learning challenge, was excited about the prospect of a more personal and tailored educational experience. Initially, the school seemed perfect, but soon discrepancies started to emerge. “From the word go, there were inconsistenciesβtoo much play and very little actual schoolwork,” she explained. “By term two, we received a character reference as a report card. Thatβs when red flags went up. Where was his work? Why is he still struggling to read?”
As time went on, the situation worsened. Promises made at the start of the year went unfulfilled, not just in terms of the child’s education, but also regarding the condition of the property. The schoolβs pool was left stagnant with algae, and there was no safety net to protect the children. Worse still, the teacher and director went on strike for a day, refusing to communicate with the children, blaming them for their actions. “These schools make parents feel like they have no other choice,” the emotional mother said, breaking down in tears. “When you visit a school, you donβt think to ask for proof of qualifications or registration. You trust that everything is in place to safeguard your child.”
Her story reflects a wider trend, particularly among parents seeking alternative education options for children with learning challenges. The increasing demand for specialized educational services has led to the rise of private education providers, many of which operate without proper registration. These unregistered schools, which often charge between R12,000 and R18,000 per term, prey on the vulnerability and desperation of parents looking for support for their children.
This growing problem has caught the attention of private investigator Brad Nathanson, who is representing a group of parents in a legal battle against one such providerβKeystone Education. The parents claim they were misled by the institution, which insisted it was not registered with the Department of Education. “The bottom line is there are far too many unregistered schools operating without any accountability,” Nathanson said. “The Department of Education cannot simply pass the responsibility to parents to ensure these schools are registered. They need to step in and shut them down if they are found to be misrepresenting their offerings.”
Nathansonβs comments underscore the urgent need for oversight and accountability in the private education sector. While the Department of Basic Education has previously maintained that it cannot act unless a school is officially registered, the increase in unregistered institutions has led to calls for stronger intervention. Many argue that parents should not bear the burden of verifying the legitimacy of schools, particularly when the stakes are as high as their childrenβs futures.
The issue has sparked widespread concern and debate among educators, parents, and policymakers. The Departmentβs reluctance to intervene unless a school is formally registered has left many feeling that the current system fails to protect vulnerable families. In light of these growing concerns, there is increasing pressure on the Department to take a more proactive approach to closing down unregistered schools and holding those responsible for deceiving parents accountable.
For parents like the mother from Durban North, the heartbreak of seeing their childrenβs education compromised by unscrupulous institutions is a painful lesson in the need for stricter regulation and oversight. As the battle continues, many are hoping that stronger measures will be put in place to ensure that all schools, particularly those catering to vulnerable children, meet the necessary standards and are properly registered with the Department of Basic Education. Until then, families remain at the mercy of a system that has yet to fully safeguard their childrenβs right to a quality education.