Educor Granted Full Registration After Six Months of Compliance. South Africa’s private higher education sector, Educor Group the parent company of well-known institutions such as Damelin, City Varsity, Lyceum College, and Icesa City Campus has officially regained full registration status with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
DHET Confirms Educor Full Registration
The announcement was made by Dr. Nkosinathi Sishi, Director-General of Higher Education. She confirmed that Educor has successfully met all the compliance requirements set out by the DHET after a period of regulatory scrutiny and monitoring. The decision offers much-needed clarity and relief to thousands of students and parents who were left in limbo due to the group’s earlier deregistration.
Why Was Educor Deregistered?
Under the leadership of former Minister Blade Nzimande, DHET deregistered Educor institutions in early 2024 due to the group’s failure to submit audited financial statements for the years 2021 and 2022. The deregistration affected several private institutions under the group, including:
- Damelin
- City Varsity
- Icesa City Campus
- Lyceum College
This administrative action was not a reflection of the academic quality of the programmes offered by Educor, but rather due to non-compliance with legal reporting requirements.
Provisional Registration on Humanitarian Grounds
Recognizing the potential disruption to students’ education, newly appointed Minister Nobuhle Nkabane provisionally reinstated Educor’s registration in August 2024. The temporary registration was granted on humanitarian grounds, ensuring that students could continue their studies without interruption.
However, this reinstatement came with strict compliance conditions, including:
- Monthly reporting to the DHET
- Detailed updates on financial standing
- Student enrolment statistics
- Evidence of progress towards meeting Council on Higher Education (CHE) standards
Educor Meets All Conditions, Earns Full Reinstatement
According to Dr. Sishi, the DHET received all the required documentation over a six-month monitoring period, which demonstrated Educor’s commitment to fulfilling its obligations.
“Indeed, Educor has been reinstated based on the agreed progress reports we have received,” stated Dr. Sishi.
He further explained that the transition from provisional to full registration was not automatic, but based on measurable progress. Now that the group is fully registered, it has been officially added back to the DHET register of private higher education institutions.
“We didn’t just re-register them. We began with provisional registration to ensure they were progressing toward full compliance. They are now fully on our register, and we congratulate them.”
Future Oversight and Continued Monitoring
Despite the positive development, DHET has made it clear that there is still work to be done. The department has pledged to closely monitor Educor’s activities moving forward, ensuring that all institutions under the group continue to uphold national education policies and standards.
Dr. Sishi reiterated that the initial deregistration was a matter of administrative compliance, not educational standards, but emphasized that Educor must remain proactive in meeting ongoing legal and regulatory requirements.
What This Means for Students
For current and prospective students at Damelin, City Varsity, Icesa City Campus, and Lyceum College, this announcement brings renewed confidence and academic continuity. With full registration restored, qualifications from these institutions remain legitimate and recognized by the DHET.
Students are encouraged to stay informed by regularly checking updates from DHET and their respective institutions, and to ensure their enrolment details remain accurate and up to date.
Conclusion
The full reinstatement of Educor’s registration marks a turning point for one of South Africa’s largest private education providers. It highlights the importance of transparency, financial accountability, and ongoing compliance in the higher education landscape.
