Phase II of education assistant jobs, formally known as the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI) in the Basic Education sector, will officially start on 1 April 2022.
This is according to a statement issued by the Basic Education Department this week.
New contracts for education assistants
“Phase II of the PYEI in the Basic Education sector has been implemented since 1 November 2021. The current cohort of +1- 280,000 assistants are on a five-month contract, which will expire on 31 March 2022,” the Department said.
“To ensure continuity, maintain stability and sustained impact in schools, the youth appointed in schools as at 28 February 2022 will be offered new fixed-term contracts commencing on 1 April 2022 until 30 August 2022.”
The Department however added that not all candidates will proceed to Phase III because the sector has returned to full capacity. Other considerations include budgetary requirements and the fact that some candidates no longer meet the requirements.
“Upon the youth’s exit, the Department, through eCubed Technologies, will provide exit packages which may include: how to build a CV, service letter and information on other opportunities that the youth may access,” it added.
‘Mandate fulfilled’
PYEI is part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, which he unveiled in October 2020. The Department opened Phase I in December 2020, creating job opportunities for over 300,000 youths.
“It is worth noting that some of the youth who were initially part of the cohort in Phase I and II have since found employment elsewhere, registered for further studies or left the programme to pursue other opportunities,” the Department said.
“The PYEI has, in this regard, fulfilled one of its mandates, that being the creation of pathways to further opportunities and success for the youth.
“All schools are required to complete and submit the details of all the youth meeting the requirements to be transitioned from Phase II into Phase III. A type-form is provided for this purpose through the Provincial Education Department (PEDs). The completion of the type-form is thus mandatory.”
Provincial education departments have been instructed to urgently liaise with schools on the termination of Phase II contracts and commencement of Phase III contracts for education assistants.
Each phase of the initiative has attracted a high number of applicants far exceeding the available positions, a clear sign of the youth unemployment crisis in South Africa.