Staff Reporter
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is preparing to recruit more than 20,000 literacy and numeracy education assistants for its Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) Foundation Phase Literacy and Numeracy pilot, which will run from January to March 2027.
“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 department spokesperson Terence Khala on Saturday.
“Beyond creating more than 20 000 work opportunities for young South Africans, this initiative is about investing in the foundations of education and building a sustainable model that delivers measurable benefits for learners, educators and the broader education system,” he said.
The department said that recruitment advertisements were expected to be published later this month through the SA Mobi App, with unemployed South Africans aged between 22 and 39 encouraged to prepare their applications.
The pilot, which will be implemented in 15 education districts, is funded through R319 million allocated by National Treasury under the Division of Revenue Act, according to an earlier departmental announcement.
Under the programme, education assistants will work alongside classroom teachers to improve learners’ reading, writing and basic mathematics skills.
The literacy component will focus on reading fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and early writing, while numeracy activities will strengthen mental mathematics and learners’ understanding of mathematical concepts.
Assistants will provide structured, curriculum-aligned classroom support, with additional mentoring and coordination at school level.
The department said the pilot would also assess improvements in learner performance and determine whether the model could be implemented effectively across different school environments.
Findings will be used to guide future improvements and decisions on the longer-term implementation of the initiative.
The programme builds on the BEEI, introduced in 2020 under the Presidential Employment Stimulus to provide employment opportunities for young South Africans in public schools.
Unlike earlier phases, which employed education assistants and general school assistants, the new pilot specifically targets foundational literacy and numeracy and requires applicants to possess relevant teaching qualifications or be studying towards them.
Who can apply?
According to the department, applicants must be unemployed South Africans aged between 22 and 39 and hold a valid South African identity document.
They must also possess a Bachelor of Education (BEd) qualification in Foundation Phase or Intermediate Phase teaching, or be in their third or fourth year of study towards a BEd qualification in either phase.
Successful applicants will be required to undergo vetting against the National Child Protection Register and apply for vetting against the National Sex Offenders Register.
A valid police clearance certificate issued within the previous three months will also be required.
The department said eligible candidates should prepare for the recruitment process and monitor the SA Mobi App for the official advertisement later in November.
Further information on the application process and requirements will be released through the department’s official communication platforms.
Education assistants are expected to take up their positions in January 2027, following recruitment and training, according to the department’s earlier announcement.
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