EduSA member schools formally recongised as private colleges by the Department of Higher Education and Training

After two decades of campaigning, The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) of the Republic of South Africa has granted Education South Africa (EduSA) and its member schools recognition and formal accreditation as private colleges, enabling international students to formally apply for a study permit. EduSA is a sector of the South African Youth Travel Confederation (SAYTC).

In what has turned out to be a landmark moment in the EFL industry in South Africa, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) of the Republic of South Africa, has finally granted Education South Africa (EduSA) and its member schools recognition and formal accreditation as Private Colleges.

This process has literally taken over two decades to complete. But now that it is done, an important milestone in the industry has finally been reached. After years of struggling with issues around where EFL fits into the educational environment of South Africa, and after being referred from one government department to the next, several court hearings, representations to parliament and government ministers in an array of roles, they now fall very clearly under the DHET as Private Colleges.

Johannes Kraus, Chairperson of EduSA states: “We believe and hope that we will now have greater cooperation from South African embassies, consulates and missions around the world. The process of Study Permit (visa) applications should now be clear, unambiguous, streamlined and stress-free for all agents and students.”

The main result of this development is that students may now formally apply for a Study Permit to study at an EFL school in South Africa, provided that the school is a member of EduSA. The South African mission is obliged to comply with the Section 13 of the Immigration Act (Act No. 13, 2002) pertaining to Study Permits. Students may therefore study for extended periods of time and no longer need to come on a 90-day Visitor’s Permit (visa) and then extend the visa while they are in the country.

Kraus completes: “The last four years have been rather intense with various ups and downs. Therefore, this accreditation with DHET means the world to the association and its member schools. The EFL industry in South Africa had shown some good growth from 2012-2014 before hitting rock bottom in 2015. The last two years have been years of recovery and now we optimistically look forward to growing our industry further.”

For further information, contact EduSA on info@edusouthafrica.com

Source: Press Release by Education South Africa, Cape Town, SA, “Registration as private colleges by the Department of Higher Education and Training for Education South Africa member schools”, 28 August 2018.