VERY irate student

Since I started studying through Damelin Correspondence in June 2018.

1. My details are captured incorrectly from day one. When they tried to debit my account in July 2018 and they had captured my account number incorrectly. I was charged by my bank, for their mistake. I was sent an email by Jade Pillay (Collections Clerk) that I need to contact them in regards to a failed debit. I had to resend her my account details and the application form to show that my account details were in fact captured incorrectly. My phone number was captured incorrectly, whenever they tried to contact me they couldn’t get through. They still to this day call the “in case of emergency contact” that I listed, in order to communicate with me, even after I gave them my correct number twice already. The name of the “in case of emergency” contact has been captured incorrectly as well. April 2019 the ”in case of an emergency” contact received another call from them saying they tried to debit my account it didn’t go through- whereas they had already debited on the last day of March. I was charged by my bank for this AGAIN.

2. I've been dealing with the Naledi from Educor (Academic Adviser) who every time I needed something she would have to refer it to Damelin. They never respond to any query until you sent it twice or thrice for one query. - I had requested my results for three assignment. I didn’t get a formal statement of my results, just a mere email with xx%. That was one result that was given, the other two hadn’t been marked yet. Mind you, I submitted all assignments by the 31 August 2018 but when I requested in November 2018 they only marked one assignment. 2019, I still haven’t received the two results since I queried in 2108. I needed to register for June 2019 Exams but hadn’t received my results to know whether I qualify or not. So I requested AGAIN, only receiving one. The last assignment they say hasn’t been marked yet but they will query. When exam registration opened, I app**** for all three modules even though I hadn’t received all three of my results. When the time table for exams were supposed to be emailed, nothing. I had to call to find out whether they would be releasing the timetables since the date had passed. I called and I was told that there was a back log and timetables would be release by the first week of June. EXAMS START IN JUNE! Nevertheless I receive a timetable a week later that I can write my three exams (not forgetting that I haven’t received my last assignment results). I call yet AGAIN! Telling the person on the other line that I wont drop the call until I receive my results. Hear the response: we haven’t received that assignment from you…??? How? So I had to personally send the consultant the assignment that apparently wasn’t submitted. In the email I sent her the confirmation from Damelin that it was received, and an email from Andrea Majothi (Service Consultant) that it was received when I sent it twice in 2018/08/20. The consultant assured me that she would make sure that the assignment is marked urgently. I called two days later an received my results. I’m happy… but not for too long. Looking at my assignment I see codes next to modules that I don’t know the meanings of. I sent an email requesting clarity. I receive an email from Luche’ Steven (Student Advisor) advising that its subject codes. To my surprised because one subject has two codes, which I queried wit him/her again three times with him/her reading my emails and not responding. I’m still waiting for a response in this regard.

3. Since I enrolled, the Student portal hasn’t worked since. My query has been attended by Elizabeth Bernard (Student Advisor), Mtho Ndlela (Student Support Adviser), Madalena Mate (Student Support Centre – Student Support Manager), Molifi Le****e (Student Advisor). I’m still waiting for a response in this regard. The portal isn’t fully functional until this day.

4. Going back to my results: today 2019/05/30 I received two sms’s of my assignment results. The first assignment results have now changed from the results provided by Jacky/ Jacomina Malibo (Programme Specialist) which was 100% now results show 70%.

5. No academic support. When I started this in June 2018, Naledi Nzama (Academic Adviser - Social Science Faculty) from Educor was my go to person when I needed assistance with all the above. She helped as best as she could with finding out about my results, and why the student portal isn’t working (which out of her expertise), but she assisted anyways. From late last year until 2019 I kept emailing her with no response, and when I saw all my problems weren’t getting resolved I called her. They receptionist put me through to Nthabiseng Monica Dew (Academic Advising Centre Manager), who advised me that Naledi was on sick leave. Very worrying that someone was on sick leave for that long, but that I should send my query for results to her. I didn’t get an answer from her until days later when I called her back to remind her that she hadn’t send me an email that she was meant to send me. But before I was put through to her, I asked where Naledi was, and she said she had been retrenched from last year. So I was **** to by an academic manager from Educor. Interesting! I called today again 2019/05/30 to ask where I can speak to someone in academics about my results from point 5 above. The stand in receptionist said I need to call their Cape Town branches because the people I’m looking for have now been transferred to Cape Town from Durban. She also advised that I email Madalena Mate, as she doesn’t take phone calls.

To whoever is reading this and is looking to register with a correspondence college, I advise against Damelin Correspondence College. They have bitten off more than what they can chew. Its like a Micky Mouse House club being run. It leaves such a bitter taste to ones mouth knowing that a known college in South Africa is being conducted like a Fly-by-night college.