UCT launches online high school

21 Jul 2021

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has launched an online high school, making it the first university in Africa to extend its educational expertise to the secondary school sector through online means. Applications are now open for the January 2022 intake.

Source: Supplied

UCT has partnered with a Cape Town-based education technology company, Valenture Institute, to deliver the UCT Online High School. Valenture's proprietary learning technology, analytics and learner support model is at the forefront of online and blended learning.

The UCT Online High School offers a CAPS-aligned curriculum, and enables learners in grades 8-12 in any corner of the globe with the opportunity to study at a monthly fee of R2,095 per month, making it one of the most affordable private schools.

Admissions for the UCT Online High School opened on 21 July 2021, with classes commencing in January 2022, after which learners will be able to enrol at any time, from wherever they are in the world. Learners will benefit from the UCT Online High School's supported self-discipline model, which allows learners to pace their own learning and get high quality 1:1 tutoring from expert teachers and support coaches whenever they need it. Learners will also be prepared with a unique range of university and career preparation services and offerings.

In addition, the entire curriculum will be made available for free in an interactive online platform called the Open UCT Online High School. Users of the free content will be issued a learner number to save their unique learning path and data, with unlimited logins permitted.

Learners have full access to a self-paced curriculum where they can progress at their own pace through expert designed interactive notes, videos, animations, simulations, practise assignments, quizzes and more. The interactive content is intuitively organised, and easily searchable, making it an excellent resource for teachers and learners around the country to benefit from.

On the announcement of this new initiative, UCT's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, said: "UCT is committed to playing our part in addressing the systemic challenges facing our education system. As a result, we have taken the bold step to launch an innovative online high school in January 2022, where the academic excellence of UCT can be extended to high school learners across the country. The UCT Online High School will create a new opportunity for learners across South Africa to choose an aspirational school and unleash their potential."

For more information, visit: www.uctonlinehighschool.com.