New contracts on cards for edu assistants
The initiative is not designed to solve all problems, but rather to intervene in a specific matter.
“It is impossible to include everybody.
There has to be a criteria and it won’t favour everybody.”
This is according to Limpopo Department of Education spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, in response to the concerns raised regarding the criteria for the third phase of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI).
She added the circular with the stated criteria was issued by the national department to provinces. At the beginning of April, more than 250 000 education and general assistants signed new contacts with the Department of Basic Education. The National Department of Basic Education explained the youth that were not contracted for phase three after being part of phase two, which took place from November 1, 2021 to March 30, 2022, didn’t meet the requirements.
Some candidates were removed from the programme following reports of misconduct, including non-performance, absenteeism, involvement in criminal activities, assault and sexual offences, while others were found to be beneficiaries of the R350 grant, census stipends and bursary holders and at the same time receiving financial support from PYEI. The NEET principle was applied, which means the youth that apply may not be employed or involved in education or training and should not receive a salary, stipend or wage.
Another disqualifying factor was not attending the compulsory training sessions, for which they needed to provide certificates as evidence of completion thereof. These training sessions include general orientation, standard operating procedures for Covid-19, national school safety framework, digital literacy and online safety training.
Chuene explained there are 13 departments that implement the presidential employment atimulus, some of which are targeting graduates and some people who are studying. She further stated it is important for people to understand the true purpose of the PYEI.
“The initiative is not designed to solve all the problems, but rather to intervene in a specific matter to provide an opportunity to those who are neither in education, employed or training. The initiative implemented by Department of Basic Education is a developmental programme that aims to provide training, skills and capacity for the youth. Students can and should continue to study, but the requirements for PYEI must also be applied to cover those who cannot afford to study,” she said.
The Department of Education urges those not satisfied with the process to contact provincial project managers or district coordinators or send an email to beei@dbe. gov.za.