Maverick News

Students’ dreams on hold amid ongoing instability at Educor campuses

21 Nov 2024

Educor Holdings’ mission on its website states: Dream, Believe, Achieve. But it seems it is not living up to its pledge, as ongoing instability at various campuses leaves parents, learners and educators in a state of limbo and hoping for a resolution as the end of the year approaches.

Following various media reports about strife at Educor campuses, parents are coming forward to air their frustration and complain about the status of City Varsity in Cape Town, which has been shut for nearly two months.

Daily Maverick reported on strife at the City Varsity in Cape Town more than a month ago, with an outcry from teachers who had not been paid for months.

Read more: Educor’s City Varsity in Cape Town in turmoil with students stranded, ‘heartbroken’ teachers unpaid

Last week, Daily Maverick also reported on turmoil at Damelin’s East London campus, which is run by Educor.

Read more: Students reeling after Damelin cancels year-end exams, urged to transfer without clarity

Now parents at City Varsity have been coming forward and are pleading for answers, indicating that problems plaguing many of the campuses are far from over.

CEO of the Council on Higher Education (CHE), Dr Whitfield Green told Daily Maverick that the council was aware of the reports of campus closures and lecturers not being paid at City Varsity campuses.

“The CHE is very concerned about the situation… The CHE has been sending all the complaints it has received to the institutions [Educor] for their response. No responses have been received. CHE recently sent letters to each institution requesting information on the state of provisioning of the higher education qualifications by the institutions. Responses are awaited,” said Green, who said he was not aware of specific issues at Damelin in East London.

Parents’ frustration

One parent, whose child was enrolled at a film course at City Varsity in Cape Town, Roeland Street, and who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her deep dissatisfaction to Daily Maverick.

“I’ve been communicating with City Varsity, but all they say is that they’ll extend the academic year if we pay the fees,” she said. “The course is close to R70,000 for the year, and I can’t keep pumping money into this with no resolution in sight. My child is sitting at home, and I’m exceptionally disappointed.”

Phelo Mevana, whose son was first enrolled at City Varsity in Braamfontein in 2023, described the emotional toll the closure has taken on his child. Mevana’s son, who dreams of becoming an animator, had to transfer to the Cape Town campus after the Johannesburg one shut down in March 2024. Despite paying tuition and accommodation fees for 2024, Mevana was informed later in the year that the Cape Town campus was also closed.

“My son is now depressed,” Mevana said. “His dream of becoming an animator is being shattered, and nobody is telling me anything. I’m still paying rent in Cape Town, and they’re taking money from my account, but there’s no sign of the school reopening.”

Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed similar concerns, revealing that they continued to pay for accommodation despite their child not staying there due to the campus closure. “My child’s fees are paid in full until December, but the school is still closed,” the parent said.

Since Daily Maverick’s last visit to City Varsity’s Cape Town campus in October, the campus on Roeland Street has remained inactive, with no students or staff on the premises.

Educor’s wider crisis

The closure of City Varsity campuses follows a series of financial and operational issues within the Educor group. Earlier this year, City Varsity in Braamfontein closed after staff withdrew their services due to unpaid salaries.

In March 2024, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) cancelled the registration of several Educor institutions, including City Varsity, Damelin and Lyceum, citing non-compliance with financial reporting requirements.

During the department’s announcement, former Minister Blade Nzimande revealed that Educor had failed to submit proof of financial viability for 2021 and 2022, despite claiming to have 50,000 students enrolled. The department also flagged complaints of staff exploitation, non-payment of salaries and unresolved grievances from students.

Despite the cancellations, Educor’s institutions were provisionally reinstated in August 2024, under the condition that they submitted monthly financial reports and complied with accreditation requirements set by the Council on Higher Education.

However, many students and staff remain uncertain about the future of their education and livelihoods.

Read more: Nzimande lashes Damelin, CityVarsity, Intec and Lyceum for ‘worst sin’ committed by an education institution.

Department of Higher Education response

Daily Maverick approached the Department of Higher Education and Training in a bid for clarification on whether Educor had submitted the required reports and how the department planned to intervene to help struggling students and staff.

In response, department spokesperson Camagwini Mavovana said, “Currently, the Department cannot comment on specific aspects of the ongoing situation concerning Educor and the institutions under its management. The Department remains committed to safeguarding students’ interests and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards.”

After the department reinstated licences, the South African Federation of Trade Unions weighed in, urging the department to ensure the rights of workers were recognised, reported the Mail & Guardian.

In a recent Mail and Guardian report, teachers and students remained unsure about whether they could complete the academic year, even after Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane provisionally reinstated its registration in August.

Damelin crisis

Daily Maverick reported last week that students at Damelin’s East London campus were shocked to learn that the institution would not conduct its year-end exams.

Students were directed to transfer to other colleges with little clarity or guidance on their next steps. Damelin’s chief operating officer Michael Thurley said the cancellation was due to “circumstances beyond our control”, leaving many students uncertain about their academic futures.

Read more: Students reeling after Damelin cancels year-end exams, urged to transfer without clarity

Teachers affected

The non-payment of staff at City Varsity is another ongoing frustration. Teachers at the Cape Town campus are still waiting for their salaries for September and October 2024.

Daily Maverick reported previously that 26 educators signed a collective appeal in an open letter to the publication demanding timely payment. “We’re now owed two months’ salaries, and the campus is still closed,” said one lecturer, who wished to remain anonymous. “It’s shocking – we’re on the verge of telling students we may not be able to complete the academic year.”

A former staff member at an Educor institution has revealed further details on the issue, describing the financial strain teachers face.

“Staff are expected to work without pay, and many are unable to meet basic living expenses like rent and utilities,” the former staff member said. “This situation is leaving teachers and their families in dire financial straits.”

Daily Maverick asked for comment from Educor Holdings, City Varsity director Melvin Munsami and Damelin chief operating officer Michael Thurley on issues at the campuses, but no response had been received at the time of publication. DM

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