Students with concerns over the accreditation of some courses studied at BSA Training Centre have sought the intervention of the Ministry of Education and Training.
They turned to the ministry after the issue had dragged for years. Currently, the institution is said to be offering 10 programmes that are not accredited by the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC).
Institution Only Allowed Five Programmes
BSA, a provisionally registered institution, is legally authorised to offer only five programmes:
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Certificate in Heavy Motor Vehicle
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Certificate in Light Motor Vehicle
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Certificate in Health and Safety
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Certificate in Electrical Engineering
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Certificate in Plumbing
However, advertisements by the training centre showed that it offered additional courses such as:
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Fashion and Design
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Commercial Studies
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Catering and Hotel Management
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Welding
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Cosmetology
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Art, among others.
Some citizens who pursued these unaccredited programmes said they graduated only to find their qualifications unrecognised and unemployable.
Failed Accreditation Efforts
Sources revealed that the institution applied to ESHEC for accreditation of these additional courses. However, after an institutional assessment conducted in December 2023, the council reported that the programmes could not be accredited until recommendations were implemented.
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Despite this, students say their concerns remain unresolved, prompting them to appeal directly to the ministry.
Complaints Since 2017
Student complaints against BSA date back to 2017, when those enrolled in the Heavy Plant Mechanic course raised that they could not do practical training due to a lack of equipment.
Recently, uproar resurfaced after alumni discovered post-graduation that their certificates were invalid. Many said they only learned of this when potential employers informed them their qualifications were not recognised.
Offering Unauthorised Diplomas
Students also alleged that although BSA was authorised only for certificate-level programmes, it offered over 10 courses, including diploma programmes, publicly advertised.
Examples included:
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Diploma in Health and Safety
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Advanced Certificate in Business Studies
Some students pursued one-year “diplomas,” only to discover during internships that proper diploma programmes normally run for three years.
ESHEC Report and Ministry Response
According to the ESHEC institutional assessment report dated March 21, 2024, the BSA Training Centre was recommended to cease offering unaccredited programmes.
This was confirmed by Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Naniki Mnisi, who said the ministry had requested ESHEC’s report after receiving student complaints.
“ESHEC submitted the report last Thursday, and their recommendation was that the institution discontinue the unaccredited programmes. Such issues about tertiary institutions concern the ministry,” Mnisi said.
She noted that BSA management had previously requested more time to “put their house in order” when the minister intervened.
Mnisi added that the report was still to be reviewed by relevant bodies, after which she would make recommendations to the minister for further guidance.
When asked why the matter had dragged for so long, she clarified that ESHEC was responsible for acting on such issues.
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