Nearly 5,000 youths to get jobs as educator assistants in Northern Cape

THE NORTHERN Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, and the MEC for Education, Abraham Vosloo, launched the Basic Education Employment Initiative at Roodepan Primary School in Kimberley on June 20.

The initiative aims to employ 4,838 youths as educator assistants and general school assistants, thereby addressing high levels of unemployment. 

Spokesperson for the Department of Education Geoffrey van der Merwe said the assistants would offer vital support to schools, both inside and outside the classroom.

“The assistants will serve as curriculum assistants, E-cadres, reading champions, care and support assistants, sport enrichment assistants, laboratory and workshop assistants. They will also offer learner psychosocial services, remedial education, literacy and reading development, Mathematics and Science support.” 

He added that 10 schools would receive a donation of R70,000 towards learning and teaching support aid, maintenance and infrastructure needs.

“Youths will be empowered through gaining skills and experience while the education sector will increase the capacity of the education sector and improve academic outcomes,” van der Merwe stated.

The Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, stated that  R100,000 would be donated to !Xunkhwesa Combined School in Platfontein.

"We worked tirelessly to ensure that the education sector functions optimally. Despite fiscal challenges, we made a clear commitment not to retrench any teachers. Over the past five years, we have managed to increase the complement of teachers in the Northern Cape to almost 10,000. We have increased the budget for the Department of Education from R6.1 billion to almost R9 billion." 

He was positive that the Grade 12 class of 2025 would achieve a 90 percent pass rate.