The department of basic education (DBE), department of employment and labour (Del),the UIF ,and the Industrial development Cooperation had been locked in a struggle to balance urgent payment with strict adherence to the Public Finance Management  (PFMA).

Following intensive engagements which continued late into the night, the parties have agreed on a way forward that ensures both compliance with the PFMA, and timely relief to beneficiaries,” said the department.

According to  DBE and DEL education assistants started being paid last Wednesday. Photo: Freepik

The DBE and DEL confirmed on Wednesday (8/10) education assistants’ payments started in the morning hours.

To prevent a recurrence, the DBE committed to the timely submission of all compliance documents. A joint technical team was formed to fast-track verification, and improvements to the Kwantu Payment System are underway.

“Schools are accustomed to managing this large-scale initiative through established provincial internal controls, whereby young people are either paid via Persal or directly by schools through their own stipend processes.

“It is therefore recommended these two mechanisms remain the operational options going forward,” said the department of basic education. The resolution was welcomed by labour and opposition alike. Cosatu lauded the intervention, calling the BEEI a successful, progressive programme that should be expanded, but stressed that such “callous incompetence” must end.

“We appreciate the logistics of verifying and uploading the banking details of thousands of workers, and putting in place clear measures to prevent corruption, such delays must not be allowed to happen again,” said Cosatu parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks.

Meanwhile, the DA commended minister Siviwe Gwarube for her “swift and decisive” action, noting the importance of her directive for accountability against negligent officials.

“The BEEI remains one of government’s key youth employment initiatives, providing work experience, training, and opportunity to over 150,000 young South Africans. The DA supports efforts to strengthen its systems and improve oversight to protect the programme’s integrity and reliability,” said DA basic education spokesperson Nazley Sharif

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