Department of Basic Education Warns of Fraudulent Teacher Verification Claims on Social Media

South Africa’s Basic Education Department has issued a strong warning against the spread of false information regarding teacher recruitment and verification processes. The department specifically denounced social media posts claiming educators must pay R350 for verification services, labeling these assertions completely fraudulent.

According to departmental spokesperson Terence Khala, all legitimate recruitment, verification, and appointment processes are handled exclusively by provincial education departments at no cost to applicants. “The department is working closely with relevant authorities to trace the source of this false information and urges social media users to refrain from sharing or amplifying unverified content,” Khala stated.

The misinformation appears to have originated from a viral TikTok video that has gained significant traction in recent weeks. The video falsely claims that teachers must pay a verification fee as part of an official employment process. Similar misleading content has spread across multiple social media platforms, creating confusion within South Africa’s education community.

This development comes at a particularly sensitive time for South Africa’s education sector, where thousands of qualified teachers await placement annually. The scam targets vulnerable job seekers in a country already grappling with high unemployment rates among qualified educators.

The department emphasized that such false claims not only mislead job applicants but also undermine public trust in the education system. Officials are particularly concerned about financially vulnerable teachers who might fall prey to such scams, potentially exposing themselves to financial loss or identity theft.

“Teachers, public servants, learners, and members of the public are reminded to rely solely on the department’s official communication channels for credible information,” Khala advised. The department maintains that all verification processes are conducted internally through provincial offices without any charges to applicants.

This is not the first time South Africa’s education sector has confronted misinformation campaigns. Earlier in 2025, the department issued similar alerts regarding fraudulent job advertisements requesting upfront payments. The government’s Peduli system, utilized for teacher placements, operates without any costs to applicants.

Education experts note that such misinformation can have far-reaching consequences beyond immediate financial losses. When false claims circulate widely, they can discourage qualified teachers from pursuing legitimate opportunities due to uncertainty about official processes. This ultimately affects the quality of education delivery across the country.

The Information Regulator of South Africa has previously warned about the proliferation of scams targeting public sector employment opportunities. These schemes have become increasingly sophisticated, often using social media platforms to reach large audiences quickly.

To combat the spread of misinformation, the Basic Education Department recommends that teachers and the public rely exclusively on official channels for information. These include the department’s website, provincial education department sites, and verified social media accounts such as @DBE_SA on X (formerly Twitter). Official job vacancies are posted on the government’s e-recruitment portal, with all verification procedures handled internally.

The department also encourages citizens to report suspicious posts to platform administrators or relevant authorities to help curb the spread of false information. Those seeking clarification on teacher recruitment or verification processes are advised to contact their provincial education offices directly.

As the department works with law enforcement to identify the sources of this misinformation, it continues to emphasize the importance of digital literacy and critical evaluation of online content, especially information related to employment opportunities in the education sector.