Police across the country will carry out operations targeting unregistered schools, colleges and universities, Mthethwa said.
In addition, the special investigative team, which probes such institutions, will be beefed up.
Police want to ensure that those who "masquerade" as principals and directors of illegally registered schools and colleges are arrested and punished.
"We know that it is a season where some scoundrels would want to prey on unsuspecting learners by promising them a brighter future when in fact they are destroying their lives. We shall not allow this to happen and I have accordingly tasked police to double their efforts in uncovering these scoundrels," the minister said.
Mthethwa urged students and parents to exercise caution during the registration period and to contact their local Departments of Higher Education, the South African Qualifications Authority, Umalusi and other certification bodies if they are suspicious about an institutions' legitimacy.
Police are currently visiting private schools across the country to verify their status. These and other operations are expected to continue throughout the year.
The minister noted that last year's operations resulted in a number of unregistered private Further Education and Training colleges being shut down and many suspects being arrested.
"What was more significant was that the majority of those arrested were denied bail and some are still behind bars. We shall ensure that we investigate thoroughly and close any gap so that none of these criminals get bail but instead receive the harshest sentences," Mthethwa added.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has echoed Mthethwa's warning about fly-by-night institutions, saying parents and learners must be vigilant and check the credentials of finishing schools, especially for those who would like to repeat matric.
"If in doubt, contact the Department's Examination Administration offices to verify whether the school is indeed a registered examination centre or not. A finishing school that caters for matric learners must have a valid examination centre number that is allocated by the department," it said.
In order to verify whether a school is registered as an examination centre contact: (031) 327 0262 or (031) 327 0282 for the National Curriculum Statement (New Curriculum) and (031) 327 0312 for the Nated Report 550 (Old Curriculum) or contact the call centre on 0860 596 363.
The closing date for applications to the supplementary examination is 14 January 2012.
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