The Department of Basic Education has announced a new pilot phase of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) that will create more than 20,000 employment opportunities while supporting literacy and numeracy development in South Africa’s early-grade classrooms.
The pilot programme, which will run from January to March 2027, will be implemented in selected public primary schools across the country and will focus on Foundation Phase Literacy and Numeracy (FLN). Trained Education Assistants will work alongside teachers to provide additional classroom support and help learners improve their reading, writing and mathematics skills.
According to the department, the initiative marks a shift from previous phases of the BEEI by placing greater emphasis on strengthening foundational learning during the critical early years of schooling.
Since its launch in 2020 as part of the Presidential Employment Stimulus, the BEEI has grown into South Africa’s largest youth employment programme, providing work opportunities for thousands of young people while supporting schools nationwide.
Department spokesperson Terence Khala said the latest pilot aims to link youth employment directly to improved educational outcomes.
“The BEEI pilot represents an important shift towards linking youth employment with improved learning outcomes. By placing trained Education Assistants in Foundation Phase classrooms, we are strengthening the support available to teachers while giving young learners greater opportunities to develop essential reading, writing and numeracy skills,” said Khala.
He added that the initiative is not only about creating employment opportunities but also about investing in a sustainable model capable of delivering measurable benefits for learners, educators and the broader education system.
Education Assistants will provide targeted support aimed at improving learners’ reading, writing and basic mathematics abilities. The literacy component will focus on enhancing reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and early writing skills. Meanwhile, numeracy support will help learners build confidence in working with numbers, strengthen mental arithmetic skills and improve their understanding of mathematical concepts through practical and visual learning activities.
The assistants will work closely with classroom teachers, providing structured, curriculum-aligned support, with additional mentoring and co-ordination taking place at school level. The department said the pilot would also evaluate its impact on learner performance and assess how effectively the model can be implemented across different school environments. Findings from the programme will be used to inform future improvements and the long-term direction of the BEEI.
“The findings will guide future improvements and inform the long-term direction of the BEEI, ensuring that the programme delivers meaningful educational outcomes while equipping young South Africans with valuable workplace experience and skills that enhance their future employment prospects,” Khala said.
To qualify for the positions, applicants must be unemployed South African citizens between the ages of 22 and 39, possess a valid identity document, and either hold a Bachelor of Education qualification in Foundation Phase or Intermediate Phase teaching or be in their third or fourth year of study towards one of those qualifications. [citation]
Successful candidates will be required to undergo vetting against the National Child Protection Register and apply for screening through the National Sex Offenders Register before being deployed to schools.
