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Job seekers wait beside a road for casual work offered by passing motorists in Eikenhof, south of Johannesburg, South Africa, November 20, 2023.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government’s Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) demonstrates its determination to address the country’s high youth unemployment.
Under the initiative, about 200 000 people will start working at 200 schools countrywide.
In his letter to the nation, Ramaphosa says the aim of the initiative is to develop skills such as time management, teamwork and problem solving among young people.
It is a flagship programme of the Presidential Employment Stimulus launched in 2020.
He says, “The Basic Education Employment Initiative which resumes after a year’s pause, according to the President brings hope, energy and incomes to areas where opportunities are often out of reach.”
“According to their various skills levels, participants work as curriculum assistants supporting maths, science and technology act as care and support assistants identifying at-risk children or tackle essential maintainence work. These roles are aimed at supporting the education system and providing real work experience to young people to transition into the labour market.”
Today marks the ‘first day at school’ for about 200,000 young people at over 20,000 schools nationwide. This time, however, they are not arriving at school as learners, but as working adults.
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) June 2, 2025
