SANTS Private Higher Education Institution (Pty) Ltd is a South African private higher education institution based in Menlo Park, Pretoria, specialising exclusively in teacher education and early childhood development training. It traces its roots to 1997, originally operating as South African National Tutor Services providing support services to provincial education departments, before expanding in 2001 into Further Education and Training with a focus on Early Childhood Development and Continuing Teacher Development. In 2012 SANTS was registered as a Private Higher Education Institution with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), registration number 2012/HE07/003, valid until 31 December 2028. Its teacher education programmes are accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). SANTS delivers all programmes through 100% distance learning with online academic support, allowing students, including those employed full-time, to study remotely. The institution offers two annual intakes (January and July) and flexible payment options (two-instalment semesters or ten monthly instalments). SANTS states it has trained more than 40,000 educators to date. Graduates of its Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes are eligible for registration with the South African Council for Educators (SACE) as qualified teachers upon completion, in line with standard requirements for DHET/CHE-accredited teaching qualifications in South Africa.
Qualifications & Programmes
- Higher Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education – NQF Level 5, 132 credits, minimum 1 year (CHE accreditation H/PR148/AR014CAN)
- Diploma in Grade R Teaching – NQF Level 6, 360 credits, minimum 3 years (CHE accreditation H/PR148/E013CAN)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Foundation Phase Teaching (Gr R-3) – NQF Level 7, 480 credits, minimum 4 years, REQV 14 (CHE accreditation H/PR148/E011CAN)
- Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Intermediate Phase Teaching (Gr 4-6) – NQF Level 7, 480 credits, minimum 4 years, REQV 14 (CHE accreditation H/PR148/E012CAN)