At the weekend, the University of Cape Town’s Online High School announced that it would be opening up a further 500 places for learners to join the digital learning platform for the 2022 academic year.

The decision was taken as a response to the dire need to access to education in South Africa, with oversubscribing in the Western Cape leaving an estimated 29 500 leaners without an institution come next year.

While it remains to be seen how effective this learning model proves to be, the UCT Online High School is already extremely popular, with more than 8 000 applications received to date, and more expected, according to the institution.

With traditional schools having to turn away learners, this digital solution may prove a welcome alternative for worried parents.

“As we near the end of the final application verification process, 500 spaces have now opened up and we are thrilled to be offering these spaces at a time when we know there are children who still don’t have a school for 2022,” noted Yandiswa Xhakaza, UCT Online High School’s director and principal, in a press release sent to Hypertext. 

“As an online school we aspire to turn physical limitations into digital opportunities for Africa’s children to access aspirational, quality secondary school education. It gives us great pleasure to know and see that we are bridging a real gap in the system,” she adds.

Those wishing to apply should be aware that no documents are required, according to UCT. To that end, all a parent will need is their child’s latest report on hand to complete the application process, along with:

• Guardian registration

• Learner registration

• Select a start date

• Pay a R200 application fee.

“Once they have completed their application, they will receive a conditional offer letter or they will need to complete a special academic review assessment. If they receive a conditional offer letter, they will need to settle their placement fee of R2,095 promptly. This fee will also cover their first month’s tuition,” adds UCT.

To find out more about the Online High School, head here.