KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A STUDENT
1.
2.
3.
4.
EVERY STUDENT SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY ARE PROTECTED BY THE FOLLOWING LAWS:
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996).
The Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997) and its Regulations.
The Continuing Education and Training Colleges Act, 2006 (Act No. 16 of 2006) and its
Regulations.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (Act No. 68 of 2008), which protects consumers from
unconscionable, unfair, unreasonable, unjust or otherwise improper trade or practices; and
deceptive, misleading, unfair or fraudulent conduct. This Act, further highlights the following:
- Consumer’s right to cancel advance reservation, booking or order;
- Consumer’s rights with respect to delivery of goods or supply of service;
- Right to information in plain and understandable language;
- Right to fair and honest dealing;
- Right to fair, just and reasonable terms and conditions; and
- Right to fair value, good quality and safety.
CONSUMER COMMISSION: 0861 843 384
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
HOW TO CLAIM A REFUND FROM AN UNREGISTERED COLLEGE
DO THE FOLLOWING:
Inform the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), get written confirmation from the
Department that the programme/college is not registered.
Request the college principal for a refund, failing which you have to approach the courts.
For amounts up to R15 000.00, you can approach the Small Claims Court with the letter of
confirmation from the Department.
For amounts above R15 000.00, you must engage an attorney. Students who cannot afford legal fees
may approach the Legal Aid Board at 0800 110 110.
For disputes on a contractual agreement, you must contact the Office of Consumer Affairs in your
region or the office of the National Consumer Commission (NCC) at 012 761 3000 or
[email protected].
Inform the nearest Police Station, sign an affidavit, and open a case if you wish, noting that the
Department will open a case on your behalf.
Any dispute arising out of a contractual agreement must be settled in a court.
The Registers are available at http://www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/DocRegisters.aspx
DHET TOLL FREE NUMBER: 0800 87 2222
WARNING
BEWARE OF BOGUS/ILLEGAL
COLLEGES
DHET TOLL FREE NUMBER: 0800 87 2222
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) wishes to warn students on the operation of Bogus/Illegal Colleges
The DHET advises you to verify the credentials of a private college/institution with the DHET by:

Contacting the call centre at 0800 87 2222

Consulting the website at http://www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/DocRegisters.aspx

Contacting your local District Office of Education

Coming to the DHET at 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria, 0001
You may also contact the DHET’s Career Development Services by:

Free SMS Service: Send an SMS to 072 204 5056 with your question.

Send a “Call me back” at 072 204 5056 and one of the Career Advisors will call you back.

Phone 086 999 0123 (Mon-Fri: 08h00 to 16h30)

E-mail: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/careerhelp

Twitter: www.twitter.com/rsacareerhelp

Mobile Site: mobi.careerhelp.org.za

Website: www.careerservice.org.za

National Career Advice Portal: http://ncap.careerhelp.org.za

Walk-In Service at 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria, (Mon-Fri: 08h00 to 16h30)
You may also contact the Central Application Clearing House (CACH) at:

Toll-free number is 0800 356 635

SMS Service: send your name and ID number to 49200

Website: http://cach.dhet.gov.za
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS AS A STUDENT
5.
6.
7.
8.
EVERY STUDENT SHOULD KNOW THAT THEY ARE PROTECTED BY THE FOLLOWING LAWS:
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996).
The Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No. 101 of 1997) and its Regulations.
The Continuing Education and Training Colleges Act, 2006 (Act No. 16 of 2006) and its
Regulations.
The Consumer Protection Act, 2008 (Act No. 68 of 2008), which protects consumers from
unconscionable, unfair, unreasonable, unjust or otherwise improper trade or practices; and
deceptive, misleading, unfair or fraudulent conduct. This Act, further highlights the following:
- Consumer’s right to cancel advance reservation, booking or order;
- Consumer’s rights with respect to delivery of goods or supply of service;
- Right to information in plain and understandable language;
- Right to fair and honest dealing;
- Right to fair, just and reasonable terms and conditions; and
- Right to fair value, good quality and safety.
CONSUMER COMMISSION: 0861 843 384
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
HOW TO CLAIM A REFUND FROM AN UNREGISTERED COLLEGE
DO THE FOLLOWING:
Inform the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), get written confirmation from the
Department that the programme/college is not registered.
Request the college principal for a refund, failing which you have to approach the courts.
For amounts up to R15 000.00, you can approach the Small Claims Court with the letter of
confirmation from the Department.
For amounts above R15 000.00, you must engage an attorney. Students who cannot afford legal fees
may approach the Legal Aid Board at 0800 110 110.
For disputes on a contractual agreement, you must contact the Office of Consumer Affairs in your
region or the office of the National Consumer Commission (NCC) at 012 761 3000 or
[email protected].
Inform the nearest Police Station, sign an affidavit, and open a case if you wish, noting that the
Department will open a case on your behalf.
Any dispute arising out of a contractual agreement must be settled in a court.
The Registers are available at http://www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/DocRegisters.aspx
DHET TOLL FREE NUMBER: 0800 87 2222
WARNING
BEWARE OF BOGUS/ILLEGAL
COLLEGES
DHET TOLL FREE NUMBER: 0800 87 2222
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) wishes to warn students on the operation of Bogus/Illegal Colleges
The DHET advises you to verify the credentials of a private college/institution with the DHET by:

Contacting the call centre at 0800 87 2222

Consulting the website at http://www.dhet.gov.za/SitePages/DocRegisters.aspx

Contacting your local District Office of Education

Coming to the DHET at 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria, 0001
You may also contact the DHET’s Career Development Services by:

Free SMS Service: Send an SMS to 072 204 5056 with your question.

Send a “Call me back” at 072 204 5056 and one of the Career Advisors will call you back.

Phone 086 999 0123 (Mon-Fri: 08h00 to 16h30)

E-mail: [email protected]

Facebook: www.facebook.com/careerhelp

Twitter: www.twitter.com/rsacareerhelp

Mobile Site: mobi.careerhelp.org.za

Website: www.careerservice.org.za

National Career Advice Portal: http://ncap.careerhelp.org.za

Walk-In Service at 123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria, (Mon-Fri: 08h00 to 16h30)
You may also contact the Central Application Clearing House (CACH) at:

Toll-free number is 0800 356 635

SMS Service: send your name and ID number to 49200

Website: http://cach.dhet.gov.za