‘School of lies’ exposed

The hopes of an aspiring pastor were dashed after a years-long battle to obtain his higher certificate in theology led to the shocking discovery that the Cornerstone School of Spirit has been allegedly operating illegally since its inception 26 years ago. Fifty-one-year-old Glenover resident, Frederick Chetty, a devout Christian, deeply desired to re-learn and refresh his knowledge of scripture, as he last studied theology in 2010.

He aspired to become a pastor and after hearing about an advert for the Cornerstone School of Spirit on Durban-based gospel radio station, Highway Radio, he was quick to register.

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A dejected Chetty claimed, “I enrolled in the college, based in Silverglen, after I heard about it in an advert on the Christian radio station, Highway Radio. It mentioned that it is a free Bible college that has no fees of any kind. I have a diploma in theology but I obtained it in 2010, so I said I would do this as a refresher, and to further my studies. I registered in 2018. Tuitions were held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays. When you finish your lesson there, you have to go to a lady at the front desk and buy modules for R50. Assignments for four modules a month are marked by him, his wife and his daughter, and at the end of the year, they conduct a graduation according to your level of study.”

Chetty took the liberty of recording the advert, as it still airs every day on the radio station despite its illegal operation being exposed in court.

The advert states the following: ‘The School of the Spirit offers a first-year national higher certificate, a second-year national diploma, a third-year bachelor of theology and a four-year masters in ministry programme. The teaching content is current and filled with revelation. Registrations are now open. Cornerstone School of the Spirit is an absolutely free school. There are no registration fees, there are no monthly fees, and there are no fees of any kind. Here is an important question: Do you have a calling over your life? Do you have a feeling that God wants you to do something in the kingdom? Do you have a sense, a deep sense that God has more for you? Have you ever had a desire to learn more about the scriptures? Then do not hesitate. It is all absolutely free. God is calling you.’

In 2021, Chetty ran into financial troubles and could not manage to pay for his graduation, and thus turned to the owner of the school, Pst Mervin Naidoo to assist him.

“He caused a scene, screaming at me loudly for every other student to hear. I was barred from the institution from the very next week. Being a Christian, I tried to resolve the matter amicably. I called, sent emails and went so far as to ask my legal advisor to mediate. He did not respond. After taking the matter to court, he never apologised. He argued with the court. The matter was finalised in court, and the court found that the school was not registered with the Department of Higher Education. The pastor was ordered by the court to pay me back R6, 500 in fees, and R400 in accordance with my legal fees. So many who have graduated from the school are now operating with fake degrees and certificates, some of whom have their own congregations. He is not a genuine man of God. He lacks humility and compassion. He is not serious about people learning about God’s word and that is unbecoming of a man of God,” further claimed Chetty.

Dr Shaheeda Essack, director of registration of Private Higher Education Institutions, stated that the Cornerstone School of Spirit was never registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as an institution.

She adds that the department does not recognise the qualifications awarded by the Cornerstone School of Spirit.

The national higher certificate in theology awarded to Frederick Chetty by Cornerstone School of Spirit on August 15, 2020, is not recognised by the authorities and is considered illegal.

“The purpose of registration is to ensure that private education providers operate within the law, and have the necessary resources, capacity, and expertise to offer acceptable standards of higher education. By purporting to award higher education in theology without registration with the department, Naidoo’s school has committed an offence in terms of the Higher Education Act, therefore the national higher certificate in theology awarded to Frederick Chetty by Cornerstone School of Spirit on August 15, 2020, is not recognised by the authorities and considered illegal,” Essack told the Rising Sun.

When responding to the claims, Pst Mervin Naidoo refuted Chetty’s allegations, explaining that his organisation is first and foremost a religious organisation, and offers Bible school.

He states, “We are not SAQA-registered. We were ignorant of the naming conventions for qualifications and no longer use the terms ‘higher certificate, diploma, bachelor’s or masters’, and have changed it to ‘first, second, third and fourth-year theology’,” he said.

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Naidoo adds that when Chetty had taken him to the Small Claims Court, it ruled in Chetty’s favour and he was not allowed to explain what was paid for, adding that it is simply the hire of graduation attire and module notes that yield a cost.

Going further to denounce Chetty’s allegations, the pastor adds that Chetty went through the study programme but the school did not graduate him. “I refused to give him his certificate due to his behaviour,” concluded Naidoo.