Troubles unveiled for online schools in South Africa
Several notable online schools in South Africa have shut down over quality concerns and a ‘lack of support.’
In recent years, online education has witnessed a surge in popularity, promising flexibility, accessibility, and quality learning experiences.
South Africa, a country known for its vibrant educational landscape, embraced the concept of online schools as a means to bridge gaps and provide education to those who were previously left behind.
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However, beneath the surface of this promising educational revolution, a storm is brewing, casting doubts on the effectiveness and sustainability of online schooling in South Africa.
According to Business Tech, several notable online schools in SA have shut down over quality concerns and a ‘lack of support’.
Umalusi, who is the national exam quality assurer, has made a statement regarding the matter that it had not accredited any online school in South Africa, which has also added to the woes of online schools.
One of the most significant challenges faced by online schools in SA is the stark digital divide that persists in the country.
While urban areas boast better internet connectivity and access to technological resources, rural regions continue to struggle with limited or unreliable internet connectivity.
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This disparity in digital infrastructure undermines the fundamental premise of online education, leaving many students unable to access their online courses or participate fully in virtual classrooms.
The lack of adequate infrastructure exacerbates existing inequalities, deepening the educational divide between urban and rural communities.
According to the Sunday Times, The South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute (SACAI) has decided not to register Cape Town online school SEAT Academy for failing to submit the proper assessments.
Also, another prominent online school started by St Stithians closed in June due to a lack of support.
Moreover, the issue of affordability poses a major hurdle for online schools in South Africa.
While online education can be more cost-effective in some aspects compared to traditional brick-and-mortar schools, it still requires access to computers or mobile devices, stable internet connections, and supplementary resources.
Read more: University of Cape Town launches online high school
Unfortunately, a significant portion of the population in South Africa cannot afford these essential tools for online learning.
This financial barrier prevents many students from taking advantage of online schooling opportunities, rendering the promise of accessible education nothing more than an elusive dream for those in lower-income households.
As reported by the Sunday Times, two online schools in KwaZulu-Natal provided matric pupils with counterfeit registration letters and distributed outdated question papers to grade 12 students during their final exams in the previous year – leading to their closure.
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Main image attribution: Pexels / August de Richelieu