Why Some DBE Teacher Assistants Did Not Qualify For PYEI Phase 3
With youth unemployment at worryingly high levels in South Africa, many citizens have voiced their unhappiness around the criteria of the next phase of the Education Department’s teacher assistant initiative, as well as its implementation.
The demand for youth jobs is high in South Africa, with an estimated two out of every three youth being unemployed. This was made clear when the Department of Basic Education (DBE) received more than 5.5 million applications but only had around 280 000 jobs available.
The jobs were part of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI). Phase three of the initiative began at the beginning of April 2022.
However, it was revealed that only people who were part of the first two phases of the initiative have the opportunity to be part of the programme which provided youth with jobs as general school assistants and education assistants.
DBE spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga has defended the department’s criteria for the third phase of the program.
He explained that 250 000 people qualified to proceed to Phase 3 which means the criteria are unfair but correct.
Mhlanga also explained why some youth did not meet the requirements to proceed to phase three. Some were removed from the programme following reports of misconduct including, absenteeism, involvement in criminal activities and for being beneficiaries of the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant.
Here’s Which Education Assistants Qualified For Phase 3
- Are Between the age of 18 and 35 years old. (18 or above when applying, or 34 turning 35 before the end of March 2023);
- Are Residing in South Africa with a valid RSA ID card, book or valid passport and work permit;
- are Residing in a location within a 5-8 kilometer radius of the school
- Are the only one with this opportunity at home (One Opportunity per household);
- Meet the requirements per category and sub-category applied for;
- Attended work all days and performed the work assigned to them;
- Are Not in Education, Not in Employment and Not in Training (NEET), you can not be involved in any form of studies for the entire period;
- Are Not studying part-time or full-time
- Are Not participating in a Learnership
- Are Not receiving government grants including NSFAS, Funza Lushaka, and the R350 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant.
- Are Not receding any other form of Stipend, wage or salary;
- Don’t have a criminal record;
- Was not unfairly advantaged above others due to staff members (SMT or SGB) knowing them;
- Attended all the compulsory training and received certificates(Generic Orientation, SOP for Covid-19, NSSF) and
- Was not involved in misconduct during Phase 1 or Phase 2
