Source: Verification crisis: SAQA seeks Zimbabwe’s help to clear backlog – herald
Gibson Mhaka, gibson.mhaka@bmetro.zw
THE South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has moved to strengthen ties with Zimbabwean education authorities to resolve verification bottlenecks that have left many local applicants in limbo.
The surge in Zimbabweans seeking to work or study in South Africa has put a spotlight on the challenges of “untraceable” qualifications, particularly from defunct private colleges, making it difficult for SAQA to verify credentials with third-party institutions.
Speaking at the just ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), SAQA Senior Specialist for Communications and Advocacy, Ms Nkosingiphile Nyalungu, said the authority is actively seeking a “workaround” for these challenges through high-level collaborations.
Ms Nyalungu noted that many clients had visited the SAQA stand during the trade showcase to express frustration over long turnaround times for evaluation results.
“We have been receiving a lot of clients coming to our stand asking why our turnaround time is longer and why they are not getting feedback on time.
“We are here to explain that the turnaround time takes longer because we rely on third parties to assist us with proper verifications,” she said.
The verification process is a critical safeguard to ensure that both the qualification and the institution of origin are legitimate before a foreign national is cleared to study or work in South Africa.
To address the backlog caused by institutions that no longer exist or are difficult to reach, Ms Nyalungu said SAQA is prioritising engagement with the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
“The most important thing here is that we want to strengthen collaboration with the universities in Zimbabwe, as well as the quality assurance bodies such as ZIMCHE and the Ministry of Education. We need to make sure that qualifications are legit in the country of origin,” said Ms Nyalungu.
She emphasised that Zimbabwe remains one of SAQA’s “top clients,” necessitating a more seamless digital and administrative interface between the two nations.
“Our application process is entirely online, and the fees are clearly stated.
“However, the most important thing is to make sure that we continue to strengthen our relationship with Zimbabwe to better serve those who have processed their papers through us,” she added.
The move by SAQA to engage local authorities is expected to provide relief to hundreds of Zimbabwean professionals and students whose career prospects were stalled by the inability to prove the authenticity of their academic backgrounds due to the closure of their former colleges.
The ZITF, which ran under the theme “Connected Economies, Competitive Industries,” provided a platform for such regional regulatory bodies to harmonise their processes, facilitating the easier movement of labour and skills within the SADC bloc.
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