SACAI accreditation explained: What parents need to know
When you choose an online school for your child, your biggest fear is likely: "Is this certificate valid?"
You may have heard of the IEB (Independent Examinations Board) or the DBE (Department of Basic Education). But if you are researching online schools like Teneo, you will encounter the commonly-used acronym “SACAI”.
But what is a SACAI recognised school? Is it recognised by universities? And how does it compare to the government Matric?
We’re going to dive a bit into the accreditation landscape, and what a SACAI registered school really means.
What is SACAI?
SACAI stands for the South African Comprehensive Assessment Institute. It is an independent assessment body, just like the IEB. However, it does not issue the final Matric certificate itself – this is under Umalusi.
SACAI is simply the body that administers the examinations and oversees the curriculum compliance for distance and online education providers.
The chain of trust:
Umalusi: The Council for Quality Assurance (The highest authority), which issues the national certificate.
SACAI: The Assessment Body (Accredited by Umalusi). They set and mark the examinations.
Teneo: The Service Provider (Registered with SACAI). We teach the curriculum and guide learners through their educational journey until they matriculate.
Is a SACAI Matric recognised?
Yes. A Matric certificate achieved through a SACAI-registered school is exactly the same as one achieved through a government school or an IEB school.
It is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) issued by Umalusi.
Universities do not discriminate based on which assessment body you wrote with. They simply look at the following:
Whether you have an NSC (Bachelor's Pass).
Your subject marks.
SACAI vs. IEB vs. DBE: What’s the difference?
Feature | DBE (Govt) | IEB (Private) | SACAI (Distance/online) |
|---|---|---|---|
Curriculum | CAPS | CAPS (extended) | CAPS |
Certificate | NSC (Umalusi) | NSC (Umalusi) | NSC (Umalusi) |
Target | Public schools | Private physical schools | Online/distance schools |
University entry | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted |
Why does Teneo use SACAI?
SACAI specialises in distance education. They understand the unique logistics of online schooling, whereas other bodies are designed primarily for physical brick-and-mortar schools.
Teneo is a fully registered distance education provider with SACAI. This means our internal assessments, teacher qualifications, and examination processes are audited to ensure they meet national standards.
The "examination centre" requirement
While you study online, you cannot write the final Matric examinations online. To maintain the integrity of the qualification (and SACAI accreditation), Grade 12 learners must write their finals at an approved physical venue.
Teneo manages a network of these venues across South Africa.
Don't let acronyms confuse you. A SACAI registered school offers a legitimate, recognised pathway to university.
The certificate your child receives is the gold standard National Senior Certificate.
View our accreditation details here.
Your child belongs at Teneo
Teneo is rated the no. 1 online school in South Africa by HelloPeter. With 170+ SACE-registered teachers, we have helped more than 3 500 learners matriculate with a National Senior Certificate (NSC), opening the doors to tertiary education and future career opportunities. Our award-winning Smart School System™combines the best parts of in-person schooling, with the convenience and benefits of online learning for learners across South Africa. If you’re ready to take the next step towards education of the future, start your learning journey with Teneo today.