Govt shuts down 124 more colleges

countrywide after they failed to comply with the law.
Some of the colleges were operating without licences while others did not meet acceptable standards and requi-rements.
The decision was in line with the Manpower Planning and Development Act and Regulations that make colleges and training institutions liable to prosecution.
Government last year closed over 106 colleges for the same reasons.
There are just over 600 registered independent training institutions countrywide but thousands have sprouted over the years.
Harare has the highest number of institutions closed with 99, followed by Mashonaland West with 14, while Mashonaland East province has 13.
Other closed colleges are in Masvingo, Matabeleland North and South. Operations of independent colleges have always been mired in controversy, with most of them accused of duping parents of their hard-earned cash.
Efforts to get a comment from Higher and Tertiary permanent secretary, Dr Washington Mbizvo, were fruitless yesterday as he was reportedly in a meeting. He is, however, on record describing the illegal learning institutions as “briefcase” colleges.
Dr Mbizvo has said the blitz on the illegal colleges would continue to “safeguard” the country’s educational standards.
“The number of bogus colleges is on the increase and a lot of people are being exploited and duped of their money.
“In the interest of safeguarding the country’s education standards, Government will make sure that colleges meet all the requirements, including employing qualified workers,” he once said.