DBE reviewing internal governance systems behind employment initiative

The Department of Basic Education said that it had initiated a comprehensive review of the internal governance systems behind its employment initiative after administrative setbacks and verification delays disrupted the September stipend payments. 

Thousands of candidates participating in the education assistants programme were affected by the delays, which officials attributed to challenges in verifying attendance registers and processing payments through implementing partners.

Minister Siviwe Gwarube said the review that is being conducted in partnership with key stakeholders is aimed at strengthening oversight and ensuring the programme is adequately resourced, properly supervised and supported by a reliable payment system.

She added that the intervention was part of a broader effort to stabilise the payment process and prevent similar delays in future.

"The department, together with our partners, we are reviewing the programme's internal governance to ensure that it is adequately resourced, properly supervised, and supported by a reliable system. Going forward, the DBEEI programme will be a standing item in all our high-level meetings to ensure that there's time and reminder that is sent to all schools to remind them to upload their attendance registers on time."