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Students should be particularly cautious with institutions which operate a chain of centres under the same name in different districts but with only some of the centres or courses properly registered.
They are also advised to check whether the place they register for admission is the location where the course operates.
"A school that operates without registration may jeopardise the studies of its students," Mr Tse said, adding that there was no control as to the safety of the premises, sanitary conditions and teacher qualifications.
"Furthermore, members of the public are reminded that only bona fide Secondary 5 students of registered schools approved to participate in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination may sit for the examination as school candidates."
Mr Tse said schools were required to display in a conspicuous place in each of the registered premises the registration certificate showing the name of school in English and Chinese, address and registration number and a fees certificate in respect of the class, tuition fee per instalment and number of instalments.
By looking at the registration and fees certificates, students who wish to enrol at an institution or on a course should know whether or not requirements set out in the Education Ordinance are complied with.
Students or parents are welcome to check with the department's district education offices or Registration Section to find out if a school is registered with the department.
Mr Tse said the department conducted 97 inspections on educational establishments between September last year and May this year to ensure that they did not contravene the provisions of the ordinance.
During the same period, the department had issued 10 warnings to some of these schools, requiring them to comply with the law, Mr Tse said.
Irregularities spotted by the department included collection of unapproved fees, teachers without registration certificates or teaching permits and excess enrolment.
In the 1994-95 school year, the department had conducted 152 inspections and issued 21 warnings to unregistered schools
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