Sanlam Group has announced that it has partnered with the UCT Online High School to provide scholarships to young South Africans who come from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The new Sanlam UCT Online High School Scholarship Programme will provide 100 academically strong learners with 100% of their high school tuition over a period of five years, which is a R14.5 million investment from Sanlam.
Applications are open to Grade 7 learners from now until mid-November for admission to Grade 8 in 2022.
The UCT Online High School was launched in July 2021 and it is the country’s most affordable private high school. Cape Town-based education technology company, Valenture Institute, collaborated with UCT by using its proprietary learning technology, analytics and learner support model at the forefront of online and blended learning.
So far, 5 000 applications have been received. It enables learners to pace their learning while also being provided with one-on-one tutoring from teachers and coaches.
The scholarships are one of seven initiatives from Sanlam aimed at improving education outcomes. The Group is committed to empowering generations to be financially confident, secure and prosperous. Currently, 560 000 learners are positively being touched throughout South Africa each year, with initiatives ranging from early childhood development and school upliftment programmes.
This is the second partnership Sanlam has entered with UCT. In September, the Group entered into an agreement to relaunch the UCT Actuarial Science Support and Advice Desk. This provides free learning and psychosocial support to UCT students studying actuarial science. Both partnerships are aimed at deepening the skills pipeline in South Africa and for the financial services industry.
Applicants for scholarships will require a 70% or above pass rate in both English and Maths in their most recent round of assessments in Grade 7. Additionally, they must have obtained a minimum overall average of 70% in their latest school report.
Applications can be made online via UCT Online High School’s website.
The Sanlam UCT Online High School Scholarship Programme application criteria required:
Grade and age:
- The applicant must be completing Grade 7 in 2021.
- The applicant must not be older than 13 years of age and not younger than 12 years of age in Grade 7.
Historically disadvantaged:
- The applicant must come from a historically disadvantaged South African family – African, Coloured or Indian/Asian.
Academic performance:
- The applicant must have obtained a minimum of 70% for Mathematics and 70% for English in their latest school report. Additionally, they must have obtained a minimum overall average of 70% in their latest school report.
Requiring financial assistance:
- The applicant must demonstrate financial need.
Nationality:
- The applicant must be a South African citizen.
Potential to thrive at UCT Online High School:
Whilst Sanlam will cover 100% of the tuition fees, guardians will need to ensure that the applicant has:
- The desire to attend an online school
- Basic computer literacy skills that would enable them to access online education
- Access to adult supervision
- A safe space that is conducive for learning
- Access to a reliable, high-speed internet connection, with a minimum average speed of 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload
- A reliable laptop and headset
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