The Department of Basic Education has successfully implemented the Presidential Youth Employment Stimulus in December. Through the programme, over 25 950 school governing body (SGB) funded posts in public and government subsidised independent schools were saved.
These posts came under threat due to schools experiencing financial distress, as a result of parents not being able to pay school fees because of the economic devastation of Covid-19. The basic education sector created employment opportunities for education and general education assistants between the ages of 18 and 35.
The programme, which was aimed at direct public investment to create employment opportunities and to provide support to workers negatively impacted by the effects of Covid-19 comes to an end on March 31. More than 868 000 applications were received from young people when the initiative was started. Of the 300 000 successful candidates, 200 000 were education assistants and 100 000 were general school assistants.
The Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator helped with the recruitment processes through the SAYouth.mobi site. The mobisite is a key component of the National Pathway Management Network.
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The primary objective of the programme is to allow young people to acquire skills, such as ICT, administration, reading, plumbing, painting and work ethic to improve their employability. To equip the appointed youth with meaningful skills to improve their employability, the department identified five key training areas: curriculum, ICT, infrastructure, child and youth care workers and reading champions.
The Presidential Employment Stimulus has been welcomed by all stakeholders in the basic education sector. Its value has been acknowledged by both school principals and educators, who were able to focus their efforts on supporting learners. The youth appointed in schools have shown appreciation for the opportunity they have been afforded to work, while also improving their skills.
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