2009 Academic Advisory Council Report

In 2009 the Academic Advisory Council (AAC) focused on the contribution that the ADvTECH Group and The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) can and should make to education in the Country in general. It was recognised that education remains the most meaningful investment that can be made in a young person’s future – perhaps more so in recessionary and uncertain times. The fact that the State cannot and should not be expected to provide for all educational needs in the Country was acknowledged and the role of the IIE was explored within this context.

It was submitted that from a growth perspective, the IIE could supplement the small class sizes and personal student-teacher contact it offers without compromising the quality of its tuition. The employability of graduates was supported as a key measure of quality education and to continue achieving this, ongoing attention to the relevance of qualifications conferred is required. Relevance was raised as a means of defining quality since what is deemed relevant is in response to what both students and employers require.

It remains necessary to be mindful of the history of South Africa’s education system and its impact on the level of student readiness required to participate in the present education system. The lack of ability to communicate was one such impact, necessitating a focus on building capacity that would improve the transition from secondary to tertiary education. Programmes to address these matters should build on what is already available rather than reinventing same.

The IIE’s operational teams and infrastructure allow it to respond quickly and suitably to opportunities identified and in this regard, it has an advantage over some public institutions. All redress imperatives need to be approached in a balanced way so that they are beneficial to all parties involved.

The IIE was urged to heighten its efforts to communicate its programmes and achievements. Its role as a leader in education in the independent sector is not always fully appreciated and the scope for innovation and change afforded by the strength and flfl exibility of its model need to become better known.

Click here to read the full Education division review. 859kb (PDF)