Unregistered Schools Trapping Parents and Learners in Fourways

A few weeks ago, I contacted a local community group to explore schooling options in the Fourways area. I wasn’t looking for big chain schools or government institutions. I was hoping for something smaller, more independent, and community-focused. What I discovered was shocking.

Many schools in our area are operating without the necessary legal accreditation. Most quickly say they are registered, often using vague language to imply legitimacy, relying on parents’ lack of knowledge. They hope no further questions will be asked. But they either go silent or can’t provide the necessary documentation when pressed for crucial details like registration numbers. Even more worrying is that these schools are filling up with children while parents remain unaware that the institutions they trust are not legal.

The Scale of the Problem:

After contacting 32 schools in the greater Fourways area, 21 schools either didn’t comply with the law or failed to provide critical details like their EMIS number, which is required by law. These are schools with children lining up at the gates every morning—schools well-known in our community. While the demand for more educational options is clear, schools operating without proper registration leave students vulnerable. What happens when the school closes its doors or half the matric class fails?

Jaqueline Aitchison leads Professional Development for South African Heads of Independent Schools Association (SAHISA) Central Region, part of ISASA. She urges parents to look beyond glossy brochures and impressive facilities.

"When choosing a school, it is essential to ensure that they are registered with the provincial education department for your region - the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) in our area - and that specific compliance with accreditation boards such as UMALUSI are in place. Too many schools are finding loopholes to work around these basic quality assurance measures. Registered schools may only hire teachers with SACE registration (South African Council of Educators). All staff are fingerprinted and must submit annual checks on the Sexual Offenders Register. This commitment ensures that children are not only academically successful but also safe and that your fees pay for a reliable quality of education. Unregistered schools frequently hire unregistered and unqualified teachers, and the lack of oversight means that no one is verifying the quality and credibility of the academic results they produce."

A System Exploiting Parents’ Trust:

To illustrate how schools exploit families, here’s a real-life story from earlier this year. A well-known private school, part of a prominent chain, delivered a shocking 50% matric pass rate. Parents, who had paid substantial fees for what they believed was a premier education, were left blindsided. The school, which claimed to offer the prestigious Cambridge curriculum, was plagued with unqualified teachers, insufficient staff, and students grossly unprepared for exams. By the time parents realised what was going on, it was too late.

Sadly, this is not an isolated case. Many families searching for alternative schooling options unknowingly pay for a false sense of security.

The Curro Scandal:

Even reputable chains like Curro aren’t exempt. Their Midrand campus was caught operating unregistered for four years. Despite offering the Cambridge curriculum, all schools in South Africa—whether they follow Cambridge, IEB, or CAPS—must comply with local regulations, including DBE registration, Umalusi accreditation, and possessing an EMIS number. After being exposed, Curro reportedly moved to rectify their status.

What is an EMIS Number and Why Does it Matter?

An EMIS number is a fundamental legal requirement for all brick-and-mortar schools in South Africa. It is issued by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and confirms that the school is officially registered. A school cannot legally operate or administer recognised exams like the NSC or IEB without it.

Despite this, many schools claimed they weren’t required to have an EMIS number or stopped responding when asked. Let’s be clear: all brick-and-mortar schools are required by law to have an EMIS number. No exceptions.

While online schools are currently not recognised by the DBE, leaving them in a grey zone, brick-and-mortar schools must comply with the law or risk operating illegally.

What the Schools Said:

Non-Compliance with EMIS Requirement:
Many schools claimed they didn’t need an EMIS number or stopped responding when I asked. This is a major red flag, indicating they may not operate legally. Several schools were initially happy to engage with me, but the communication went silent when I requested their EMIS number. This lack of response suggests these schools aren't compliant with the legal standards they claim to uphold.

Tutor Centres and Loopholes:
Tutor centres often shift the responsibility to parents, saying it’s up to them to register learners with the Department of Education. This allows these centres to avoid the legal obligations of being a registered school, creating a grey area that leaves parents to navigate the compliance minefield. Some centres provided very little information, further raising doubts about their legitimacy. To be clear, homeschoolers must be taught under the roof of the home. They cannot be registered with the DBE as homeschoolers while being taught somewhere other than their home.

Online Schools Operating in a Legal Grey Area:
Many online schools openly admit that the DBE doesn’t currently recognise them. While they may be upfront about this, it leaves learners vulnerable, with their education potentially unacknowledged by the authorities.

Cambridge and IEB Schools:
Several schools offering Cambridge or IEB qualifications confirmed they follow these curricula but failed to provide proof of DBE registration or an EMIS number. These schools seem to rely on their international accreditation to bypass national regulations, which presents a serious risk to parents who may be unaware of the potential legal issues.

It's important to understand that being registered as an IEB exam centre does not mean the school is registered with the DBE. The IEB is an examination board, not a curriculum.

Key Takeaways for Parents:

Widespread Non-Compliance:
Many schools, even in affluent areas, are unregistered and operating illegally. While they market themselves as premium institutions, they are breaking the law by not meeting basic legal requirements.

Online Schools and Tutor Centres Using Homeschool Curricula:
Many online schools and tutor centres operate in a legal grey area, using homeschool curriculums. While they may seem like fully functional schools, they often aren’t recognised by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), leaving parents responsible for registering their children as homeschoolers.

Shifting Responsibility to Parents:
Tutor centres often burden parents with legal compliance, making them responsible for DBE registration. Parents may not realise this until it’s too late, as these centres present themselves as full schools but can’t offer recognised qualifications.

Verify School Legitimacy:
Before enrolling your child, always ask for the school's EMIS number and verify their accreditation. Schools without this basic registration are not operating legally, and their qualifications may not be recognised.

Understand the Difference Between Schools and Support Centres:
Some institutions are support centres, not actual schools. Be sure you know whether your child is enrolled in a legally registered school or receiving educational support. The legal responsibility for your child’s education should never be unclear.

Important Clarification on Homeschooling and Homeschool Centres:

If you choose to homeschool your child or enrol them in a homeschool centre, you must register your child as a homeschooler with the Department of Education. This is a legal requirement, and parents—not the centre—are responsible for ensuring this registration.

Homeschool centres can offer valuable support but are not recognised as schools by the DBE. These centres cannot register your child on your behalf or provide qualifications without oversight. The legal responsibility for your child’s education lies solely with you.

What Parents Must Do:

• Ask for the EMIS Number: If a school can’t provide this, it’s a red flag. Do not enrol your child in any school that doesn’t have an EMIS number.
• Check Accreditation: Verify the school’s accreditation with Umalusi or relevant bodies. Don’t take their word for it—do your own research.
• Understand What You’re Signing Up For: Know the difference between a registered school and a tutor centre or homeschool support service. The responsibility for your child’s education should never be in question.

The Need for Government Action:

The Department of Basic Education must urgently address the rising number of unregistered schools. Greater transparency is needed, starting with a public list of all registered independent and online schools. Until that happens, parents are left vulnerable, and their children’s education remains at risk.

While we wait for the DBE to step up, parents must take the initiative to ensure their children’s education is legal, accredited, and recognised. Too many parents have discovered too late that the education they have been paying for has left their child high and dry, without valid qualifications at the end of a long school career.