As over 900,000 South African matriculants prepare to tackle their final exams this month, the country is once again reminded of an unsettling reality: navigating the transition from school to tertiary education remains a monumental challenge, mired in inequality. Accessing higher education is compounded by barriers that unfairly hinder capable students.
“Across the country, thousands of capable students are forced to pause or abandon their studies because they can’t afford accommodation near campus, access reliable transport, or must work to support their families. These are not exceptions; they are the norm,” states Leon Smalberger, CEO of the Academic Institute of Excellence (AIE).
With current statistics revealing that 35.2% of South African youth are neither employed nor engaged in education or training, it is evident that the traditional model of higher education is increasingly out of touch with the realities faced by many. In a system that expects students to have the privilege of time, infrastructure, and financial stability, too many talented individuals find themselves excluded based on circumstances beyond their control. Smalberger points out, “The challenge is not lack of talent or ability. Rather, it’s a system that still measures commitment by physical presence rather than by competence or effort.”
The plateaus of despair do not end there. A staggering 50% of students drop out of tertiary studies within just three years, with first-year dropout rates reaching as high as 60%, while the national graduation rate stands at a meagre 17%. This disheartening trend is not rooted in a lack of potential but in a lack of flexibility within the educational framework.
“When learning becomes more flexible, opportunity will finally become fair. By designing learning around people’s circumstances, we can turn education into a genuine equaliser that changes lives at scale,” Smalberger asserts, prompting a call for a pivotal shift in educational methodology.
Adopting a new model for a new generation
The prescription for change is clear: South Africa must create varied pathways for education that accommodate the unique realities of its student population. AIE offers a pivotal example of this philosophy through the introduction of three adaptive learning pathways:
- Full-time hybrid learning: A flexible option allowing students to attend lectures both on campus and online, with the ability to switch freely between the two.
- Full-time online learning: A technology-driven approach that breaks down geographical barriers, enabling students to study from anywhere across South Africa and beyond.
- Part-time flexi-online learning: Tailored for working students, this option allows learners to study after hours or on weekends.
This innovative framework is supported by AIE’s myWay Hybrid Learning System, which employs cutting-edge technology, ensuring that students receive an interactive, high-quality educational experience, whether studying in Bedfordview, Bushbuckridge, or Botswana. By enabling students to access their studies remotely and flexibly, AIE is committed to ensuring that financial and infrastructural challenges do not hinder access to education.
Creating an integrated educational ecosystem
In recognition of the urgent need for scalable flexibility in education, AIE has recently unified its nine specialised schools under the collective banner of One AIE. This initiative encompasses fields such as Engineering, Architecture, IT, Business, and Design, all aligned with the institution’s mission to make accessible tertiary education a reality for all South Africans, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Students will benefit from a coherent learning platform, shared resources, and the ability to move seamlessly between disciplines without losing academic momentum.
“If South Africa is serious about solving its skills crisis, flexibility in tertiary education cannot remain optional. It must become policy. Students need choice not just in what they study, but how they study,” Smalberger emphasises. This statement echoes a growing sentiment: the South African education system must evolve to adapt to the characteristics of this new generation of learners—one that is mobile, digital, and resource-constrained.