Learners, set to write matric exams, left in the lurch as Matric Scholars Academy in Durban is unregistered

Hundreds of learners who had enrolled at private Durban institution Matric Scholars Academy to write the National Senior Certificate exams learnt with alarm this week that the school was not registered with the Department of Education and they had not been registered to write the exams.

According to the DA's provincial spokesperson on education Sakhile Mngadi, MPL, the learners made the discovery when they arrived at the school to write one of the exams this week.

In response, the Matric Scholars Academy said it had been a victim of wrongdoing, distancing itself from accusations of fraud and claiming that a former staff member is to blame.

Mngadi called for an urgent investigation into the school which he said was allegedly operated by Nombuso Mtshali.

He also alleged that the school had been run from premises within the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

He added that the school “accepted hundreds of learners who reportedly paid over R8 000 each, believing they would write their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations this month.”

Mngadi said learners discovered the deception when they “arrived to write yesterday” and found they “had not been issued legitimate examination numbers” and that Matric Scholars “did not appear on the DoE’s database of registered centres.”

He described the incident as “a serious violation of the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the Examinations Regulations of 2018” and called for a “full investigation” into the matter.

Matric Scholars Academy, however, insists that it is not a fraudulent operation and says it has been “deeply prejudiced” by the actions of a former employee who mishandled the exam registrations.

In an official statement posted online, the academy said: “We are aware that some of our learners have not yet received their examination timetables as expected. We sincerely apologise for the distress and inconvenience this has caused.”

The statement, signed by Mtshali, continued: “We had entrusted a teacher to oversee the registration process with the expectation that it would be handled diligently. Unfortunately, this was not the case.”

Mtshali said the academy was “urgently addressing the matter” and had already “put measures in place to support all affected learners,” adding that “the meeting with affected learners has been set and communicated to the parents.”

In a separate message responding to media queries, the academy said: “It is indeed true that the institution is not registered and that is due to the unlawful conduct of a certain previous staff member which the academy entrusted. Certain steps have been taken to address this issue and the matter is currently with the appropriate authorities.”

“We as the academy are a victim in this matter and understand the severe prejudice it has on our learners, the parents, and confidence in the academy.”

DUT confirmed that it was aware of the concerns raised in relation to the entity known as “Matric Scholars.” In an official response, DUT said it is currently investigating the matter and will provide factual responses once all queries have been verified.

“DUT is guided by strong values and principles in line with our ENVISION2030 strategy. As such, the university remains committed to transparency and accountability. A formal statement providing clarity on this concerning situation will be issued once the necessary facts have been verified,” the university said.

KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the matter should be directed to the school.

“At the beginning of the year we always issue warnings to parents and learners to always check with us if the institution is registered with us to avoid such things.”

THE MERCURY