Published: 6 hours ago

The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) has issued a strong warning to parents and students against sending learners to unaccredited foreign universities, saying many graduates are returning with qualifications that are not recognised locally.

The education regulator says it has noted an increase in Zimbabweans enrolling at institutions in countries such as Cyprus, Ukraine, and some unregulated online colleges, only to discover upon return that their degrees are not valid for employment or further study.

"Parents must verify the accreditation status of any university before paying fees. Many families are losing money to bogus institutions," said ZIMCHE director Professor Kuzvinetsa Peter Dzvimbo.

The warning comes amid a surge in demand for foreign education as local universities face criticism over outdated curricula, overcrowding, and inadequate resources. Some parents say they are caught between the risks of unrecognised foreign degrees and the declining quality of domestic institutions.

Education experts called for government to invest more in local universities to curb the exodus. "If Zimbabwe's universities offered modern facilities and internationally competitive programmes, students would not seek shortcuts abroad," said analyst Tapiwa Makoni.
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