Media & Press Releases

27/6/2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

From:
Association for Distance Education Providers and Online Schools (ADEPOS )

ADEPOS, the association representing alternative education (irrespective of mode of delivery, business model or curriculum used) for learners of compulsory school going age, as well as for learners in the Further Education and Training phase, in South Africa, is issuing this press release to address recent inaccurate statements regarding online schools in the country.

In response to recent statements by Umalusi (Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training), suggesting that the public can verify the legitimacy of schools on their website, ADEPOS, want to highlight the fact that current legislative framework that allows for the registration and accreditation of schools in the country does not make provision for the registration and accreditation of online schools.

This clarification is necessary to address the valid public need to verify the credibility of education providers. However, ADEPOS needs to underscore that there is a need for an inclusive regulatory environment that recognizes and supports the evolving nature of education in the digital age.

In this press release ADEPOS would like to support the public’s concern and assist in helping to identify credible institutions for alternative forms of education.

“What the public needs to understand is that there is currently no legislation that allow for the registration and accreditation of online schools in the country.” says Coleen Cronje, chairperson of ADEPOS. However, in a recent media statement by an Umalusi representative (that schools can be verified on the Umalusi website) it should be noted that there are currently no listed online schools.

There is indeed a need for the public to be protected and served by a legislative framework that will allow the recognition of the diverse and legitimate virtual educational opportunities which exist in the South African context.” 

Online schools in South Africa do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Basic
Education (DBE) or any other regulatory body responsible for accrediting and approving educational institutions. The reason for this is that the current legal framework for schools in South Africa pertains specifically to physical brick-and-mortar institutions on either the public or private space. This, even though the constitution of South Africa gives “everyone has the right to establish and maintain, at their own expense, independent educational institutions” and implies the responsibility to the state to make provision for it to be registered.

The Constitution also protects the public by requiring that such institutions be free of discrimination based on race, and “maintain standards that are not inferior to standards at comparable public educational institutions”.

Alternative forms of education in South Africa such as Home Education has been recognised and legally practiced since 1996, and valid school leaving certificates like the South African National Senior Certificate can be obtained from Registered Distance Education Providers that are registered with Accredited Assessment bodies such as the IEB (Independent Examinations Board) and SACAI (South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute).

Online schools and alternative education institutions can therefore be verified with these independent assessment bodies.

However, the registration with the state and accreditation has been a long sought-after need for such institutions, many represented by ADEPOS. The need for regulation that is free from state-imposed restrictions, which do not align with the best interest of learners and institutions that offer those services, is evident in the very vibrant and diverse participation of the public in the recent public comments on the Bela Bill. One of the notable criticisms has been that there is no provision made for alternative education institutions and specifically online schools. 

It is essential to highlight that this does not imply that online learning or e-learning platforms are prohibited in South Africa. On the contrary, the DBE and other educational bodies actively promote the integration of digital tools and e-learning platforms within the traditional school system. These tools are valuable resources that can enhance teaching and learning experiences and foster skills necessary for the fourth industrial revolution. 

It is crucial to distinguish between online learning platforms and online schools. Online learning platforms, such as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) or supplementary digital resources, can provide valuable educational opportunities. They can be used as supplements to traditional classroom-based education or for informal, lifelong learning. However, they do not constitute fully fledged services of education providers that offer a full bouquet of learning and assessment services to learners of school going age that are not in traditional brick-and-mortar schools.

Although a draft framework is expected to be out by September 2023, it must be stated in the interest of public information and institutions that are providing legitimate educational services, that there are no existing means for them to be recognised by the state and its quality assurance affiliates such as Umalusi.

ADEPOS acknowledges the importance of addressing the evolving educational landscape and the potential benefits that institutions such as online schools and other credible distance education providers could offer to South African students. We are actively engaging with policymakers and relevant stakeholders to explore the development of appropriate legislation and regulatory frameworks for online schools. We have requested in writing to the Department of Basic Education seeking active participation in policy discussions, detailed information on the upcoming educational framework, and clarity on interim measures during its implementation, to enable more effective contribution to and compliance with policies affecting alternative modes of education in South Africa. Our aim is to ensure that any future regulations align with the best interests of the learners, guaranteeing quality education, and safeguarding their rights in the public’s interest. We urge all stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, parents, and students, to be cautious when considering or making claims regarding the legitimacy of online schools in South Africa. While there is potential for the growth and development of online education, it is crucial to establish the necessary legal frameworks and quality assurance mechanisms to protect the interests of students and ensure educational excellence.

ADEPOS is committed to collaborating with all relevant stakeholders to create a robust and inclusive educational environment in South Africa. We will continue to advocate for the advancement of distance models and online learning and work towards the development of appropriate legislation that recognizes and supports online schools in the country.

For media inquiries, please contact:

ADEPOS
association.distance.school@gmail.com

Coleen Cronje (Chairperson) Tel: 0825777942
Helga Stevens (Vice-Chairperson) Tel: 0828894115
Pieter Rousseau Tel: 0813159505