UFH Speech-Language Therapy Graduates Face Qualification Challenge from HPCSA

In a startling revelation for the academic and health communities, the University of Fort Hare's (UFH) Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Therapy has been called into question by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Scores of graduates are entangled in an unwelcome predicament as the university's program, launched in 2018, failed to secure accreditation from the regulatory body—a crucial step for professionals in the medical field.

The essence of the problem lies in the candid declaration by the HPCSA, which maintains that UFH's program does not satisfy the established minimum criteria. It's a situation that has left the first cohorts of graduates from 2021, alongside subsequent classes up to 2023, in a professional limbo; they find their credentials unrecognized, impeding their ability to practice legally in the country.

Lebogang Ramma, the chairperson for the Speech, Language, and Hearing Board of the HPCSA, elucidated that UFH was alerted to the inadequacy of their program back in 2021. The process for program accreditation entails meticulous progress reports detailing implementation, which then undergo scrutiny by the HPCSA.

Initial feedback from UFH, received in 2019, set off alarm bells at the council, highlighting several deficiencies. A site visit from HPCSA representatives was necessitated to reaffirm that UFH would address and rectify the concerns raised—a variable costing the university financially. UFH requested a deferral to 2020, citing budget constraints, but the unforeseen advent of COVID-19 further delayed inspections and led to an impasse where curriculum reviews took precedence.

Eventually, in June 2021, the HPCSA team managed to inspect UFH's program, but to their dismay, it was found wanting. Eight key recommendations aimed at steering the program to accreditation were provided, yet by year's end, these suggestions remained unheeded.

Ramma expressed that numerous discussions occurred with UFH in hopes of salvaging the situation. The remedial measures included an intensive training program developed by the then dean of students for the 2021/2022 graduates, with a goal to align the curriculum with HPCSA benchmarks.

One of the glaring issues pointed out by Ramma was the substandard examinations conducted by UFH, which were of such a level that releasing these graduates into the professional field was deemed irresponsible. The board is poised to evaluate the outcomes of the remediation program before deciding on the graduates' registration eligibility.

Amidst this turbid situation, attempts by Algoa FM News to acquire a statement from UFH were met with silence, leaving unanswered questions about the university's accountability and steps moving forward.

This development poses significant challenges not only to the graduates of UFH but questions the integrity of educational oversight. In an era where specialization and regulated practice are paramount, this serves as a cautionary tale for academic institutions to align curricula with professional standards, ensuring that graduates are equipped with the credentials that enable them to contribute effectively to their chosen fields.