Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has confirmed that payments for Education Assistants and General School Assistants employed under the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) have officially commenced. Speaking at a joint media briefing in Pretoria alongside the Department of Employment and Labour, Gwarube said the long-awaited payments bring relief to thousands of young South Africans who had been waiting for their wages.
“I have instructed both the Director-General and the Acting Director-General to immediately institute appropriate consequence management and hold people accountable who failed to discharge their responsibilities in managing and implementing the BEEI. This is not about scapegoating, it’s about ensuring accountability,” said Gwarube.
The minister also announced that her department and its partners are reviewing the BEEI’s internal governance to strengthen oversight and improve efficiency. She emphasized that the initiative must be adequately resourced, properly supervised, and supported by reliable systems to avoid future delays.
“The initiative is one of the government’s flagship youth employment programmes. It provides not only income but also work experience, training, and a pathway into the world of work for over 150,000 young South Africans. We owe it to these young people and to the schools and learners who depend on their contribution to manage this programme with diligence,” she added.
Gwarube warned that schools failing to comply with the programme’s requirements will face serious consequences.
VOC News
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