The DBE and the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) are addressing unemployment challenges facing South African youth. The recruitment process for Phase V of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), which aims to provide employment opportunities to 204,676 youth aged 18 to 35, has been successfully completed. The newly appointed candidates will resume duty in various areas of specialisation from 2 June to 30 November 2025. The BEEI is a strategic Government response to enhance the quality of education through additional support, targeting Quintile 1-3 schools in mostly no-fee schools. Through BEEI, a large portion of job opportunities will be allocated to Curriculum Assistants and Reading Champions to ensure quality learning outcomes in the General Education and Training (GET) band. Key role players in the coordination of BEEI from the DBE, Provincial Education Departments (PEDs), the DEL and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), view the programme as a critical intervention to improve effective administration and functionality of public schools.
BEEI Project Manager, Ms Lala Maje and National Training Coordinator, Ms Inati Bindiza, co-facilitated the National Training Indaba for BEEI Phase V, which has been designed to empower key role players in the implementation of the programme and the training of youth. The Indaba took place at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in the Gauteng Province earlier this week. The promotion of a reading culture; prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV); mass participation in school sports; and the maintenance of school infrastructure, were raised as main discussion areas. Mr Paddy Padayachee, Project Sponsor, indicated that this programme, being in its fifth year, has realised great strides and will continue to garner partners for collaboration to ensure successful implementation.
The BEEI was introduced in the Basic Education Sector as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus (PES) launched in 2020. Through BEEI, more than 1.1 million temporary job opportunities have been created. Ms Kate Phillip, from the Project Management Office in the Presidency, said that Phase V of BEEI has been implemented under a hybrid funding model supported by both the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the National Treasury, with the IDC appointed as the stipend disbursement agent.
Ms Bindiza stated that, a significant focus of the Indaba was the adoption of an Exit Opportunity Strategy designed to support participants beyond the programme: “The DBE has identified three main pathways, including the pursuit of tertiary studies, entrepreneurship and formal employment. Participants are encouraged to pursue higher education or vocational training, supported by advice on accessing bursaries and funding. The entrepreneurship pathway introduces foundational business principles, empowering the youth to establish ventures in education-related sectors such as tutoring and ICT services. For those seeking employment, the combination of hands-on experience, digital skills training and financial literacy is expected to enhance employability. The SAYouth.mobi platform remains accessible for ongoing career development and job opportunities”.
Ms Maje added that, “the Indaba enabled participants to deliberate on the scope of BEEI, which included recruitment in Curriculum Assistants; Reading Champions; ICT eCadres; Care and Support Assistants; Sport and Enrichment Assistants; Handypersons; Laboratory Assistants; and Workshop Assistants. These are critical areas of specialisation schools require to strengthen foundational and support structures. Curriculum Assistants and Reading Champions will provide essential in-class support, including classroom management, assisting with lesson delivery, guiding small group discussions, and aiding learners who experience difficulties. The support provided by EAs will enable teachers to focus more effectively on differentiated instruction and formative assessment, thereby enhancing teaching quality”.