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| Sunday, 15 June 2003 |
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Ministry of Tertiary Education warns IT students : Beware of bogus institutes by ANJANA GAMAGE The Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training (MTET) last week warned prospective IT students to beware of bogus training institutes that offer certificates, diplomas and degree courses in computer education along with enticing job prospects. According to existing regulations (Act, No. 20 of 1990 Tertiary Education amendment) any organisation providing vocational or technical courses of study must be registered with the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC) under the purview of the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training. But a recent study conducted by the ministry has found a number of unauthorised computer science and information technology courses mushrooming islandwide. According to the Secretary, Media, Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training, Indika Bandara, there are 1004 registered vocational and technical institutions including 350 which offer computer science and information technology. "But we have come to know that about 1000 unregistered vocational and technical institutes have been set up throughout the country", Bandara said, acknowledging that the ministry had received numerous complaints from parents about these organisations cheating innocent students, promising them IT certificates, diplomas and even degrees from foreign universities. The courses conducted by such organisations range from four months to two years and the fees vary from Rs. 300 to Rs. 8000 and above. Bandara also said that the unregistered IT organisations often advertise in the print and electronic media offering courses leading to degrees, with some even going to the extent of promising lucrative job opportunities. However, according to complaints received by the TVEC, most of these institutions have not fulfilled guarantees given to clients. "Most of these organisations target those who have sat for the GCE O\L and A\L examinations and entice them through poster campaigns using handbills that are displayed on walls." Most students are unaware of these educational frauds, and don't realize that even the certificates are not valid under the TVEC", he added. Bandara warned that the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training along with the TVEC will take severe legal action against all such bogus organisations and said that the regulatory programme would be finalised and will be implemented shortly. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training has cautioned the public to be vigilant about unregistered computer and vocational training institutions and has requested prospective students to verify the registration validity of an organisation from the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission before enroling. |
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