Adewale Yusuf, the CEO of AltSchool Africa, once stressed the necessity of extending education beyond traditional classroom settings. He championed the use of the internet as a vast and accessible tool for bringing education to the next billion Africans. This ideology has sparked a lot of interest, leading to a surge in online learning and the emergence of numerous competitors in the market.
A study in 2023 conducted by Coursera divulged that despite only 36% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population having internet access, the region has the highest average annual growth rate in enrolment. It noted a significant 80% increase in enrolment for professional certificates. Statista further predicts the online learning platform market will expand to a staggering 1.0 billion users by 2028.
However, despite this obvious surge in demand, crafting offerings that appeal to prospective students remains a hurdle. This task necessitates upholding a certain standard and delivering the right caliber of quality.
Following its establishment in 2021, AltSchool Africa claims to have delivered over 5 million hours of training to more than 60,000 students from over 100 nations across its five schools including Engineering, Product, Data, Business, and the Creative Economy.
However, AltSchool Africa’s offerings extend beyond these fields. The school has recently diversified into the creative economy sector, signifying its commitment to broadening its scope.
In addition to this diversification, the school further launched ‘Launchpad’ in response to its expansion into Kenya. This free and exhaustive course provides profound insights into various career routes available in the technology sector, and the competencies necessary to navigate them.
In order to maintain its competitive edge, the digital learning platform has been granted full accreditation by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ASIC). This accreditation presents a significant leap which confirms the institution’s educational offering meets rigorous internationally accepted standards
ASIC, a world-renowned agency that operates in over 70 countries, is recognized in the UK by the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), a department under the UK Government’s Home Office. The accreditation serves as a testament to the platform’s adherence to high-quality international standards.
ASIC, globally recognized for its standards, is a part of multiple prestigious networks including the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), the British Quality Foundation (BQF), the International Schools Association (ISA), and is an institutional member of the European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN).
The implications of this accreditation for AltSchool Africa and its students are manifold. Previously granted an exemption from the state of California, USA, enabling them to issue diplomas, AltSchool’s ASIC accreditation further guarantees their international standing. The CEO, Yusuf, articulates this development as significant not just for the institution but also for their students who are now recipients of an internationally accredited education.
The accreditation aligns with the school’s aim of equipping ten million Africans with skills that would be pivotal for their future and Africa’s growth by 2030. With their accreditation spotlighting the quality education they have promised since inception, AltSchool Africa is further inspired to forge pathways for brighter futures, particularly among underserved African communities.
Dr. Ademola Akinrinola, the Director of Learning and Academics at AltSchool Africa, concurs with Yusuf’s viewpoint, stating that the ASIC accreditation solidifies their reputation as a high-quality education provider dedicated to providing secure and rewarding educational experiences.
In a bold move to democratise access to globally relevant learning in Africa, AltSchool Africa also recently announced a partnership with OpenLabs Ghana.
In addition, Yusuf recognized the school’s endeavors to secure accreditations from various regions, including the United States, West Africa, Nigeria, and other areas worldwide. This initiative is indicative of their commitment to inclusivity for all students, and also foreshadows potential global partnerships with many other institutions.
Dr. Akinrinola elucidated that the accreditation process consisted of an unbiased and independent external evaluation. This served to confirm that every aspect of AltSchool Africa, ranging from its administration and governance to its educational offerings, adheres to internationally recognized standards.
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We would like to correct our previous statement and apologize for the misconception – ASIC’s accreditation does not validate specific qualifications.
