Parents urged to verify independent school registration
Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile has urged parents to make sure independent schools are properly registered and accredited before enrolling their children.
He warned that a school’s buildings, uniform or online presence does not guarantee that it is legally authorised to operate.
Speaking during a media briefing on the state of independent schools in Gauteng, Maile said parents should conduct the necessary checks before paying fees or committing their children to a school.
He said registration with the Gauteng Department of Education gives an independent school legal authority to operate, while Umalusi accreditation relates to quality assurance for schools offering qualifications within its mandate.
Maile stressed that these checks are particularly important for learners approaching Grade 12, as independent schools offering the National Senior Certificate must meet the relevant accreditation requirements and ensure that Grade 12 candidates are properly registered.
“A school building, uniform, website or advertisement does not on its own prove that an institution is legally operating.”
Parents have also been advised to check a school’s registration certificates, EMIS number and fiscal address, and to establish which curriculum and examination body the school uses.
The MEC said educators at independent schools must also be registered with the South African Council for Educators.
The warning comes amid a significant number of complaints received by the department. Between 2024 and August 2026, the department recorded 3,688 cases relating to independent schools, including registration, school fees, bullying, disciplinary matters, admissions, curriculum, and assessment.
Despite these challenges, independent schools recorded strong academic results in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations, with an overall pass rate of 94.82% among the 12,291 learners included in the department’s analysis.
Maile said the strong results demonstrate the contribution made by independent schools but stressed that academic performance must go hand in hand with proper regulation and accountability.
He also reminded independent schools that learners should not be disadvantaged because of disputes between schools and parents over contractual obligations.
“Children should not become the point at which contractual disputes between parents and schools are fought.”
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