ABOUT
Equitable access to lifelong learning
Based on social justice and open learning principles, Saide aims to unlock the power of education and expand opportunity for disadvantaged children and adults.
We’re dedicated to expanding opportunities through open learning, technology, and data-driven solutions. Open learning is vital in ensuring education is accessible to everyone, everywhere, anytime.
Everyone has a right to quality education
Our vision is a society where everyone values, has access to and succeeds in lifelong education and training
Our Approach
How we work
Our work is guided by our commitment to open learning and social justice principles.
We champion openness in education – breaking barriers to access, empowering learners to shape their own journeys to success, as well as sharing knowledge and resources freely.
We advocate for social justice – ensuring that everyone, regardless of their demographic status or background, has equal opportunities to learn and succeed.
We champion diversity and inclusion – embracing different voices and perspectives, fostering inclusive learning environments where everyone feels respected and empowered to participate.
We support learner-centred approaches – tailoring education to the needs, interests, and strengths of learners, allowing them agency in their learning journeys.
We enable future-oriented learning – transforming institutions to equip learners with skills needed today and in future, such as emotional intelligence, critical thinking, digital literacy, and creativity.
We advocate for adaptable learning – ensuring skills and knowledge are culturally relevant and responsive to local needs while evolving to address global challenges.
Our Programmes
We develop and implement transformative initiatives that advance our mission
We support learning in diverse settings through impactful programmes. We partner with public and private institutions, governments, civil society, funders, and other stakeholders in education systems to promote transformative change at a systemic level.
Early Childhood Education
Nurturing early and lifelong learning for disadvantaged children from birth to 10 years in formal and informal learning environments, ensuring they develop critical foundational skills for effective learning.
Post-School Education and Training
Enabling access and success for disadvantaged students in post-school education and training pathways
Teacher Education and Development
Improving quality and effectiveness of teaching practices of educators in early learning programmes, foundation phase schooling, and post-school education and training.
Open Educational Resources
Promoting the creation, dissemination and use of open educational resources effectively, to support quality teaching and learning.
A legacy of enabling successful open learning for all
Saide was founded in 1992. from the beginning Saide believed it was important for the open learning and distance education voice to be heard strongly in all educational policy statements across sectors and themes.
Saide has evolved into one of the world’s leading postsecondary student success organizations and has proven especially effective at implementing a national infrastructure for universities committed to data- and evidence-driven interventions to improve South African student throughput. In summary, Saide’s leadership of Siyaphumelela has spectacularly exceeded our expectations.
Bill Moses
The Kresge Foundation
Saide has evolved into one of the world’s leading postsecondary student success organizations and has proven especially effective at implementing a national infrastructure for universities committed to data- and evidence-driven interventions to improve South African student throughput. In summary, Saide’s leadership of Siyaphumelela has spectacularly exceeded our expectations.
Bill Moses
The Kresge Foundation
The power of many uplifts.
Our partners make our work possible
