A Strategy for Pan-African E-Learning Excellence
Tirisano Institute, formally established in 2024 as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) and Public Benefit Organisation in South Africa, is an E-Learning Educational and Training institution poised to revolutionize access to high-quality, accredited education across Africa.
With a foundational ethos rooted in affordability and accessibility, Tirisano Institute aims to offer worldclass courses at the lowest possible cost, leveraging economies of scale and an innovative operational
model. Our strategic vision encompasses four key pillars:
- High School Mathematics
- Private TVET College
- Private University
- Youth Skills Development
Our Vision and Pillars
Tirisano Institute’s core mission is to provide high-quality courses at the lowest possible cost to a large number of enrolled students and learners. Our institutional framework is built upon four strategic pillars:
High School Mathematics
This pillar aims for self-sufficiency within a year, requiring relatively small initial funding. Learners will register with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for Grade 12 examinations.
Private University
The concept for the TI University, focused exclusively on online/E-Learning delivery, was discussed in September 2023 and evolved rapidly in early 2025. Application for registration is planned for January 2026.
Youth Skills Development
Added at the end of 2024, this program will primarily depend on donor funding and volunteer support.
Private TVET College
Application for registration is planned for 2026.
Tirisano Institute is led by four founding directors, including two full-time academics: an Associate Professor of Computer Science and an individual with a DEd degree in blended E-Learning. Special provisions will be made for persons with disabilities who wish to study through Tirisano Institute, a 14th object to be added to our Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI).
Innovative Business Model for Affordability
Our unique business model, uncommon among registered private educational institutions, mirrors that of telecoms and mobile operators: a large number of subscribers with a very low average revenue per user (ARPU). By targeting a minimum of 1000 students per course, Tirisano Institute can maintain course fees as low as ZAR R200-R250 per course. This structure allows us to offer accredited courses at approximately one-tenth of the cost of typical MOOC certifications.
Revenue Distribution:
For a course generating R200,000 from 1000 students
(R200 fee per student):
80% to Academics/Subject Matter Experts/Instructional Designers
This equates to R160,000 per course. This remuneration is designed to be an adequate incentive in South Africa for developing world-class content.
20% to Tirisano Institute Overheads, Capex, and Marketing
This portion covers essential operational costs, investments in infrastructure like remote laboratories, and marketing initiatives. Marketing is estimated to represent 10% of the total revenue, or
50% of this 20% portion.
Financial Viability and Donor Reliance:
The private university and TVET college divisions are projected to be financially viable through economies of scale within South Africa alone, without relying on international students for core operations. However, initial funding will be required for about two years for these pillars.
Donor funding will be essential for the Youth Skills Development program and special projects, such as Internet connectivity for underserved rural areas and a comprehensive, AI-assisted career guidance solution offered free to high school learners, unemployed individuals, and graduates.
A Pan-African Approach to Education
Tirisano Institute is designed to be truly Pan-African, targeting all of Africa, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, at launch. Our commitment to inclusivity extends to:
Continental Collaboration
Course Developers and Students from Across Africa: We will invite many individuals from across Africa, including those living and working outside the continent, to develop curriculums and courses.
Gender Empowerment
A majority of women will be involved in developing curriculums and courses, ensuring strong support for women students.
Multilingual Support
Courses and administration will support multiple languages, including English, French, and Portuguese.
Local Reinvestment
A portion of the revenue earned from students in other African countries will be reinvested back into those countries. For instance, if a course has students from Nigeria and Cameroon, 10% of the marketing costs will be split proportionally and deposited into business bank accounts in those countries for local marketing efforts. Each country with a significant number of students will have a local Marketing person managing these funds.
Curriculum Development and Academic Engagement
We invite academics and industry subject matter experts to contribute to our mission by developing high-quality
online courses. Our model emphasizes both fair compensation and collaborative content creation:
Compensation and Incentives:
A remuneration of R160,000 for developing one course, based on the R200,000 revenue model, is considered an adequate incentive for world-class content. For courses with very large student numbers, such as Mathematics (potentially over 10,000 students), the course fee could be significantly reduced (e.g., to R100), yet still yield substantial income (e.g., R1 million from 10,000 students x R100), with 80% allocated to the content developer. This substantial amount for a course running for three years offers flexibility to further reduce fees or break the course into smaller modules for multiple developers.
R160K
Standard Course Development Fee
For 1,000 students at R200 each
R800K
High-Volume Course Development
For 10,000 students at R100 each
Content Requirements
Beyond teaching content, course developers must include quiz and exam questions.
Student Interaction
Developers are expected to spend time answering online questions from enrolled students, especially one-on-one queries. However, the Open LMS platform facilitates peer-to-peer learning, allowing students to answer questions within a chat forum, reducing the direct burden on academics.
Automation and AI Tools
Course developers should participate in the development of automatic graders and AI tools for scoring tests and assignments, similar to systems used by eDX for MIT courses. As our knowledge base grows, more questions can be answered automatically.
Course Revision and Longevity
The lifespan of a course varies. Courses in rapidly changing fields may require major revisions every two to three years. In subjects like first-year Linear Algebra, a course could potentially run for five years. Curriculum development teams will brainstorm and determine appropriate revision cycles.
Additional Development Approaches:
- Modular Course Design: For extensive subjects like Mathematics, which typically comprise many separate sections (e.g., limits, derivatives, linear algebra), each section could be developed by a different course developer, allowing for specialization and broader participation.
- Tutoring Support: An additional mechanism includes paid human tutors, with a portion of the 80% academic share going to them. We will also develop AI tutors, recognizing that human tutors will always offer unique benefits, particularly for first-year mathematics.
Technological Foundation and Learning Environment
Tirisano Institute will be built on a robust technological infrastructure designed for scalability and an enriching learning experience:
Learning Management System
We will utilize Open LMS running in the AWS cloud, chosen over Moodle for its scalability and unlimited capacity.
Digital Recognition
Open Badges 2.0 Digital badges will be awarded for every course or module passed, providing verifiable credentials.
Collaborative Learning
Our platform will foster collaborative learning, with student-contributed content input into a Knowledge Management (KM) system.
Practical Learning Infrastructure:
- Remote Laboratories: We will establish remote laboratories for practical subjects such as Electronics, Signals & Communications, Mechatronics, PV Solar, Robotics, and PLCs.
- Industry Partnerships: Extensive partnerships with South African industry, including Eskom engineers, will ensure the credibility of courses like Electric Power Systems.
- Networking: Students and developers will benefit from unparalleled networking opportunities with individuals, institutions, and organizations across Africa via Kumu maps.
Conclusion
Tirisano Institute is at the forefront of a transformative educational movement in Africa. By combining an innovative, cost-effective business model with a commitment to academic excellence, pan-African collaboration, and cutting-edge technology, we are building a sustainable ecosystem for accessible, high-quality learning.
We invite potential donors to support our critical initiatives and academics to partner with us in developing the world-class content that will empower generations of African learners. Your partnership will be instrumental in realizing our vision of accessible, accredited, and impactful education across the continent.