More than 19 000 assistants are expected to lose their jobs, as their contracts are coming to an end this month.

This is another setback for those who were very much dependent on the salary, especially with a very high unemployment rate in the country. 

Howard Ndaba, spokesperson for the Department of Education in the Free State, reiterated that there is nothing that the department can do to assist those about to lose their jobs and monthly salaries.

He further stated that this was a presidential project stimulated by the government to create jobs due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

More than R400 000 was given to the Free State department of Education last year as part of this initiative, to hire assistant educators and general school assistants.

Ndaba said they appreciate the critical role played by the assistants, as the value that they added within the education sector will be missed.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi