However, the programme came to an end on 31 August 2022 and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has bid farewell to the young people that took part in the programme during the third phase.
Since the start of the initiative in December 2020 more than 850 000 job opportunities have been created and thousands of young people have been afforded the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge that is provided through various partners.
Earlier this year the DBE announced that the programme would be extended to a fourth phase, however anyone who has already participated in the initiative would not be allowed to reapply.
In a statement, the department says that all provinces have paid stipends for the month of August 2022 but there are a few cases of outstanding stipends, which the Provincial Education Department (PED) are working tirelessly to resolve.
The end of the Phase III of the PYEI-BEEI does not mark the end of the road for the youth. The initiative has created a platform for many to chart a part towards better prospects in the labour markets.
The department says that young people in the third phase also had access to scholarship and bursary opportunities that were available through the eCubed WhatsApp Bot.
The youth had numerous opportunities to gain more skills through training opportunities offered by partners such as University of Johannesburg (UJ). NEMISA, Dignify African and 2Enable.
When it was announced that existing teaching assistants weren’t allowed to re-join the programme, it caused much distress as many became dependent on the monthly stipends to sustain their families.
However, these young people can now claim funds from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) as they made contributions throughout their tenure as school assistants.
“The UIF is an essential safety net to which employees and employers contribute, and from which employees who become unemployed are entitled to benefits, and in so doing, alleviate the harmful economic and social effects of unemployment.”
Should these young people wish to apply for unemployment benefits, they must be done in the prescribed form at an employment office and the application must be made within six months of the termination date of the contract of employment, the department adds.
