Earlier this year Umalusi, South Africa’s education standards-setting authority warned parents that fake online schools were popping up, many of which indicating that they were accredited by the body. Further, Umalusi indicated that it did not provide accreditation to any online schools.
This turned out to not necessarily be true, as many online schools in the country find their accreditation from the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI), which provides licenses under Umalusi. This did spur many to consider accreditation of online schools in SA, a phenomenon that emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic and has since rocketed to the top of mind of many parents looking for alternatives that are cheaper and closer to home.
Many of these online schools also offer curricula authorised by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) which will give your children an international-adjacent qualification, however it does not mean that the school is internationally recognised.
In South Africa, there are only two bodies that provide international accreditation to online schools. These are the Pearson Edexcel programme, and the Cambridge Assessment International Education programme. There are only a handful of online schools that offer qualifications accredited by either.
Here are five South African online schools that are internationally accredited:
Think offers South African CAPS – which is tantamount to a National Senior Certificate (NSC), but also the British International curriculum through Cambridge, as well as an American GED. This online school accepts students from as early as Grade R all the way to Grade 12, which all take part in virtual classes.
Students also have access to a tutor portal, with fees ranging from around R4 000 a month to R14 000 a year.
The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Online High School is one of the newer online-only high schools in the country, offering a matric-level qualification, as well as an internationally recognised Cambridge qualification. Finally, adults who have been out of school for many years can complete their matric through the school as well.
UCT does it a bit differently, as there are no traditional “classes” instead learners are guided by a programme that they must complete on their own, with assistance from tutors. They do receive access to myriad educational materials, however. Fees depend on the curriculum of choice.
CambriLearn offers an international British curriculum, as well as CAPS and is certified by Pearson Edexcel. It provides course outline, online classroom sessions, instant chat with tutors, student tracking, live lessons and more.
It offers a subscription approach, with different subscription tiers getting learners different materials and services. For example, the CambriLearn Premium tier grants access to mock exams before the final tests. Parents are warned however, international lessons require international prices.
Teneo offers an online school for primary and high school learners, with international accreditation from Pearson. Its learners take part in an IEB curriculum. Fees depend on whether you select British International or South African schooling. International fees are somewhat acceptable, at around R3 299 per month for matrics.
Teneo is all about flexibility, with many options for parents and learners. Learners can take part in full-time live classes, or opt for mixed live and pre-recorded classes.
Wingu receives its international accreditation from Pearson, and touts itself as the only online school in South Africa to offer the Oxford International Curriculum. The institution offers a blended approach to online learning, including online interaction with live tutors, as well as online classes, quizzes, worksheets, simulations and more.
Prices again depend on what you’re looking to get in terms of qualifications, with international levels more expensive, and up to R6 000 per month.
The Praxis Online School, part of the larger Praxis Group offers international examinations thanks to Pearson Edexcel, and its learners take part in an IEB curriculum.
Praxis offers hybrid learning with both in-person and online classes, but also an online high school. It says that it uses an evidence-based model to identify the specific learning needs of specific learners. Grade 8 to Grade 12 learners cost around R2 200 a month.
There could be more internationally accredited online schools in South Africa, or perhaps internationally that accept South African students. The important thing to know is, when searching for the right school with international qualifications in mind, keep a look out for either Pearson or Cambridge accreditation.
[Image – Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash]
