Teacher assitants contracts have been the talk of social media as the last day of August is looming.
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has announced that Phase 3 of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) which began on 1 April 2022 is set to come to an end on 31 August 2022.
Users on all social media platforms have been debating amd giving reasons why the government should extend their contracts or give them a permanent post.
Education activist Hendrik Makaneta said the gap between the current group and the next one will impact schools in the last term.
“The presence of EA’s at schools make a huge difference and their absence will leave a gap that will be felt.
“We call on the government to absorb all EA’s without delay in order to maintain stability to the sector.
“The EA’s have proved beyond doubt that they are capable and willing to walk an extra mile in the quest to help learners to create a future for themselves.
“The high rate of unemployment will worsen if EAs are not absorbed permanently,” he said.
Chairperson of the Educating and Allied Workers Union of South Africa (EUSA), Andre de Bruyn, also called on national government to keep the assistants employed for the rest of the year.
“It makes no sense in ending their contracts at the busiest time of the year when teachers are swamped, administratively.
“Except for the huge end of the year administrative burden on educators, the EAs deserve a bit of financial stability.
“Times are tough on everybody and ending their contracts throws the EAs in financial strain again. Overcrowded classrooms, huge administrative burdens, unemployment and aiding in the daily educational operation of schools, should be adequate reasons to keep the EA’s at schools,” he said.
