Basic Education Employment Initiative: Here’s how many opportunities are coming

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) have released the details of phase five of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI).

The initiative, part of the wider Presidential Employment Stimulus, continues the teacher assistant programme launched at the end of 2020.

In partnership with the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the programme has become a stepping stone to a career in education.

Over 200 000 employment opportunities

The DBE states that the first four phases created 1.1 million job opportunities, with phase five aiming for another 204 000 positions.

The temporary contracts may be duplicate placements, as those involved in the previous phases will still be eligible for the fresh intake.

KwaZulu-Natal will get the largest allocation of positions with roughly 45 600 set aside for the province.

Gauteng, the nation’s most populous province, will get 36 100 positions, while Limpopo and the Eastern Cape will get 27 300 and 28 700, respectively.

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The IDC will be responsible for paying stipends, and beneficiaries will receive R4 000 per month for six months as well as R30 data per month.  

The BEEI is aimed at unemployed South African citizens aged between 18 and 34; however, those who turned 35 before 31 March will still be eligible.

“The BEEI leverages on the fact that there is a public school in every community in South Africa, which is an enabler for the government to massify the provision of job opportunities to the most vulnerable youth,” stated the DBE.

A breakdown of BEEI positions available in each province. Picture: Department of Basic Education

When do applications open?

The application window will open on 22 April and close on 9 May. Interviews and contract signings will be conducted between 19 and 31 May.

All applications must be submitted online via the SAYouth.mobi site. Those chosen to participate will begin work in June.

In addition to classroom support, other BEEI positions include curriculum assistants, laboratory assistants and care, support, art, sport and maintenance staff.

“The initiative will allocate more opportunities toward Reading Champions to support the improvement of reading and literacy,” the DBE stated.

Other qualifying criteria include a clean criminal record, as a police clearance will be required should candidates be shortlisted.

Candidates must live 5km from a school or 30km if it is a farm or rural school and may not participate in another government programme or initiative.

“Youth studying a teaching undergraduate degree on a part-time, distance or remote/ online learning will be prioritised for placement so that they may receive work-integrated learning,” stated the DBE.

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