With an extremely high youth unemployment rate, the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) served as a beacon of hope for thousands of young people. The department has announced that the initiative will continue to make a difference in the lives of youth
The Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) sought to mitigate economic challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. The comprehensive stimulus package also sought to tackle the alarming youth unemployment rate which stood at a staggering 65.5% at the time.
The country’s education department received a budget allocation of R13 billion for the first two phases of their Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) to combat the unemployment rate in the country. The BEEI created 300 000 jobs in its first phase with the number dropping slightly for subsequent phases.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that Phase 4 of the BEEI will start in 2023. The purpose of the programme is to allow students to obtain skills which will increase their employability once the programme is completed.
DBE Head of Communications Elijah Mhlanga said that youth who participated in the first three phases of the programme will not be considered for positions in phase 4. Young people are employed in schools as teaching assistants and general school assistants, some have even shared their experiences about being part of the programme.
The system is now saying if you participated in the first phase in the second phase and you’re presently in the third phase or if you participated in any of these phases you will not qualify to apply for phase four
Mhlanga explained that South Africa’s vast youth population are seeking the same opportunity that current school assistants are enjoying. It is for this reason that previous participants won’t be considered again.
The department has also become aware of scams where people acted as middle-men and sold applications for teaching assistant jobs. Youth are reminded that it is completely free to apply and said they should not pay anyone to apply for the teaching assistant positions.
“It is one hundred percent free to apply, there are no application fees that are required and by the way there are no data costs that are involved. You just apply using that platform, it’s completely zero rated so no one should ask you for money” declared Mhlanga.
Applicants wanting to apply for school assistant positions must be between the ages of 18 – 24 years old and live within a five kilometre (Km) radius of the school. This radius is extended to 30 KM for people who will work at farm schools.
Mhlanga said youth must keep an eye on the DBE’s official social media accounts for the latest news on the BEEI. This is also where the opening date of teaching assistant applications will be posted.