Government resolves education assistant payment crisis

October 8, 2025 70

Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarhube, says those responsible for the administrative failures that led delayed stipend payments for thousands of teacher assistants, will be held accountable.

Speaking at a joint media briefing with the Department of Employment and Labour in Pretoria, Gwarube addressed the widespread frustration caused by September’s payment delays under the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI).

Her remarks come as there were delays in September payments to education assistants and general school assistants under the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI).

More than 150,000 teaching assistants have been affected, highlighting broader administrative challenges within the education system.

The Minister said anti-corruption measures have now been put in place to ensure accountability for every cent spent, and that stronger oversight will be enforced going forward.

She explained that many of the delays stemmed from incomplete attendance records, which prevented the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) from processing payments on time.

Under current regulations, schools and provincial departments are required to submit verified attendance records — including biometric confirmation — to prove that assistants are fulfilling their duties.

She acknowledged the hardship this has caused employees and assured that the agency is working swiftly to resolve the issue.

The minister also assured the public that her department is working urgently to resolve the matter and prevent further disruptions.

“I have instructed both the director general and the the acting director general to immediately institute the appropriate consequence management and hold people accountable who have failed to discharge their responsibilities in the management and implementation of the BEEI,” she said.

Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Jomo Sibiya, has confirmed that the delayed stipend payments for education assistants are currently being processed and will be completed within the next two days.

He explained that the disbursement process is a collaborative effort involving multiple government departments, including the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which is responsible for handling the payments.

Sibiya assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the funds reach the correct beneficiaries without further delay. He confirmed that payments have already begun as of today.

“Following intensive engagements that continued late into the night, government has now resolved the payment impass as the minister has said. This morning I also want to confirm that the UIF has released the funds for stipends payments and I can confirm that education assistants and general school assistance began receiving their payments from 10 am.” he said.

Sibiya also supported calls for disciplinary action against officials responsible for the delays, emphasising that good governance requires accountability, urgency, and efficient service delivery.

He acknowledged weaknesses in the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI), explaining that this month’s delay was caused by a quarterly verification process designed to ensure stipend recipients are eligible. He stressed the government is working to close these gaps to prevent future delays.

“We have identified that there are gaps which we need to close. We can’t hide it; we have to say that we have gaps and we need to improve, do better, and close them like it is usually done in any system. It’s like that in every system around the world. There will always be gaps and issues. We want to say that we are very confident that we are closing those gaps,” added Sibiya.

Minister of Basic Education, Ms Siviwe Gwarube –@Siviwe_G, and Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Mr Jomo Sibiya –@DmJomo, have confimed that as of 10am this morning, payments have started flowing from the Industrial Development Corporation to Education Assistants.#BEEI pic.twitter.com/AtikLATmFp

— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) October 8, 2025