Phase three of the PYEI in the Basic Education Sector is coming an end in the very near future, meaning Phase four will be next on the agenda.
Phase three was announced by the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to commence on the first day of April, 2022, and will now be ending on the 31st of August 2022.
The 280 000 members of the youth that joined the Initiative during Phase two, which began on 1 November, 2021, became employed as teaching assistants at various schools across the country. The assistants were placed on a 5-month contract, expiring the same day as the second phase.
However, Phase four is set to begin only next year, in 2023.
This delayed start is due to a lack of funding. "Funding for the project is ending, and we cannot (as a Sector) continue with the project until we find more funds. The funds that we have applied for and received from Treasury will be available for Phase four from next year," said Project Manager of the PYEI, Lala Maje.
Maje went on to encourage South Africa's youth to apply for Phase four if they have not participated in the previous three phases. Among the main reason for the Sector's search for new applicants is the need to provide as many youth as possible with sufficient training and work experience.
"In August when the applications open, we are requesting that young South Africans go out in numbers and apply for the job opportunities so that they can get the experience of working with our teachers, our learners, with our school principles as well as working with the parents of these learners."
It is unclear as to when exactly in 2023 Phase four will commence, but the DBE has highlighted the many positive stories and experiences that have resulted from the project.
