Government school programme
SA Youth Teacher Assistant: how to apply (and what's happening with Phase VI)
The Basic Education Employment Initiative placed ~200,000 young people in schools during Phase V. As of May 2026, Phase VI has not been funded — here's the honest picture and how to apply if it opens.
Updated 17 May 2026 ·By GoCareers
Open SA Youth - Programme
- BEEI — Phase V ended Nov 2025
- Phase VI status
- Not yet announced or funded
- Apply via
- sayouth.mobi only
- Last stipend
- R4,000/month (Phase V)
- Contract
- 6 months
- Age
- 18–34 (LSEN: 18–39)
Who qualifies (based on Phase V criteria — Phase VI rules may differ)
- South African citizen with a valid 13-digit barcoded SA ID
- Aged 18–34, turning 35 on or before 31 March of the contract year (LSEN schools: 18–39, turning 40 by March)
- Currently unemployed and not in education or training (NEET)
- Not receiving a SASSA grant (except Child Support Grant on behalf of dependants)
- Police clearance — criminal record disqualifies for offences involving children, violence or dishonesty (Sexual Offences Register check is mandatory)
- Live within 5 km of an urban school or 30 km of a rural/farm school
- Education Assistant role: Matric required. General School Assistant (Handyman, Sports & Enrichment): Matric NOT required
What you'll need
- Valid SA ID (green book, smart card, or birth certificate)
- Registered SA Youth account with complete profile
- Active cell phone number for SMS verification
- Bank account in your own name (for stipend payment)
- Matric certificate (if applying as Education Assistant)
- Police Clearance Certificate (usually obtained after shortlisting, not at application)
Step by step
-
Register on SA Youth in advance
Whether or not Phase VI opens, get your SA Youth profile ready now. Go to sayouth.mobi (free, zero-rated), register with your ID and cell number, and complete your profile to 100%.Tip: Application windows when announced are typically only 2–3 weeks. Having a complete profile means you can apply immediately. -
Watch official DBE channels for any Phase VI announcement
Phase VI announcements (if any) come from:- The official Department of Basic Education Facebook page (@BasicEd — verified)
- SA Youth's verified social channels
- education.gov.za/Programmes/BEEI.aspx
-
If applications open, log in and search
On your SA Youth dashboard, search "Teacher Assistant", "Education Assistant" or "General School Assistant". Select a school within your community (5 km urban / 30 km rural) and submit. The whole application takes ~15 minutes. -
Save your reference number
After submitting, you'll get an SMS with a reference number. Keep it. You'll need it for any follow-up.Tip: There are no walk-ins at schools, no paper applications, no email applications. SA Youth is the only legitimate channel. -
Wait for shortlisting by the school
Selection is done by the School Governing Body (SGB) at each school — community-based, with strong preference for local applicants. If shortlisted, you'll be called for an in-person interview at the school. Bring your ID, CV and any qualifications. -
Complete police clearance and orientation
Before placement is confirmed: police clearance, reference checks, and compulsory online orientation training (Generic Orientation + National School Safety Framework).
The honest 2026 picture: is Phase VI happening?
As of May 2026, BEEI Phase VI has not been officially announced or funded.
According to BEEI National Project Manager Lala Maje (quoted in the Sunday Tribune, 4 December 2025) and a gov.za media statement on the conclusion of Phase V (30 November 2025), the programme has ended after Phase V due to lack of National Treasury funding. No Phase VI has been announced by DBE or SA Youth.
The dozens of "Phase 6 — apply now" articles circulating online (jobdogs, dpsavacancieshub, nasi-ispani, edufeeds, careers23, jobslink, studentcareer, flexjobspace) are SEO content farms recycling Phase V info. They contradict each other on stipend amount, contract length, and opening date — and none cite an official DBE source.
The two roles: Education Assistant vs General School Assistant
- Education Assistant (EA)
- Works inside the classroom supporting teachers. Matric required. Sub-categories: Curriculum Assistant (Maths/Science/Tech), Reading Champion (Foundation Phase literacy), eCadre / ICT Assistant, Care & Support Assistant (psychosocial), Laboratory Assistant, Workshop Assistant.
- General School Assistant (GSA)
- Works on the physical and extracurricular side. Matric not required. Two official sub-categories: Handyman (maintenance, painting, basic repairs, fencing) and Sports & Enrichment Assistant.
See our General School Assistant guide for more detail on the GSA stream.
Stipend and contract (Phase V — the most recent confirmed figures)
Phase V stipend was the same for EA and GSA:
- Gross monthly stipend: R4,000
- Less 1% UIF (R40): R3,960 net
- Plus R30 data allowance: R3,990 total per month
- Daily pro-rata rate: R132.49
- Paid by EFT on the last working day of each month
Contract: 6 months, fixed-term, no extension, no expectation of permanency. Phase V ran 1 June – 30 November 2025.
Hours: Max 40 hours/week, 8 hours/day, 5 days/week, with weekends and public holidays off.
Leave: 1.8 days vacation per full month worked (~11 days over 6 months); 1 sick day per month; 3 days family responsibility leave; 1 week paid maternity leave; 2 study days per exam subject.
Phase VI rates (if any) have not been announced. Sites claiming "R4,500 for Phase 6" are guessing — no official source has confirmed any 2026 figure.
Phase history (so you can spot fake news)
| Phase | When applications opened | Contract |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I | Late 2020 | Dec 2020 – Apr 2021 |
| Phase II | 2021 | 2021/22 |
| Phase III | 2022 | 2022 |
| Phase IV | Late 2022 / early 2023 | Feb–Jun 2023; May–Sep 2023 |
| Phase V | 22 Apr – 9 May 2025 | 2 Jun – 30 Nov 2025 |
| Phase VI | Not announced | — |
Common reasons applications get rejected
- Incomplete SA Youth profile (the #1 reason — missing matric subjects, blank ID field)
- Applied after closing date (windows are 2–3 weeks)
- Living too far from the chosen school
- Already employed or registered as a full-time student
- Failed criminal or Sexual Offences Register check
- Already participated in a previous BEEI phase (priority to new participants)
- Duplicate or fraudulent applications
Major scam warning — "Phase 6 is open" posts
Africa Check, the Western Cape Education Department and Hypertext have all flagged a surge in Teacher Assistant scams. Common patterns:
- WhatsApp and Facebook posts saying "Phase 6 is open NOW" linking to non-sayouth.mobi URLs
- People posing as principals or district officials demanding an "appointment letter authorisation fee" — a recent case demanded R2,800
- Fake "registration fees" of R150–R350
- Requests for OTPs, banking PINs, or copies of bank cards
- Fake "Department of Education" Gmail addresses (real DBE addresses end in @dbe.gov.za)
How to verify:
- The only legitimate URL is sayouth.mobi — not sa-youth.com, not sayouth.co.za, not nasi-ispani
- DBE and SA Youth never charge any fee, ever
- If an application form is on Google Forms or a Telegram bot, it's fake
- Real announcements appear on the DBE Facebook page (@BasicEd) and SA Youth's verified channels
What to do if Phase VI doesn't happen
If Phase VI is not funded, here are alternative paid opportunities for unemployed young South Africans:
- YES Programme — 12 months at a private employer, R5,241/month
- EPWP — Expanded Public Works Programme; 3–12 month placements across infrastructure, environment and social sectors
- NYDA grants and Funza Lushaka — entrepreneurship support and teacher bursaries
- SETA learnerships — 12–24 month combined work and qualification
- SA Youth's other opportunities — register and check the dashboard daily; many other paid roles flow through the same platform
Contact and support
- SA Youth toll-free: 0800 72 72 72 (Mon–Fri 09:00–16:30)
- TeacherConnect WhatsApp bot: 060 060 3333
- DBE Call Centre: 0800 202 933
- DBE email: info@dbe.gov.za
- School-level enquiries: contact your nearest SGB chairperson or principal directly after applications open
Frequently asked questions
Is BEEI Phase 6 open for 2026?
As of May 2026, no. DBE has not announced or funded Phase VI. The programme officially ended with Phase V on 30 November 2025 per a gov.za media statement. Sites claiming "Phase 6 is open" are recycling Phase V information.
How do I apply for the SA Youth Teacher Assistant 2026?
Through sayouth.mobi only — when (and if) Phase VI is officially announced. Register and complete your profile now so you can apply immediately if a window opens. There are no walk-ins, no paper applications, no email.
How much do teacher assistants get paid in South Africa?
Phase V (the last confirmed cycle) paid R4,000/month gross, R3,990 net after 1% UIF plus a R30 data allowance. The same rate applied to Education Assistants and General School Assistants.
What is the difference between an Education Assistant and a General School Assistant?
Education Assistants work inside the classroom (curriculum support, reading, ICT, learner care) and require Matric. General School Assistants work on maintenance and sports/enrichment, and Matric is not required.
Do I need matric to apply for the BEEI?
For Education Assistant roles, yes. For General School Assistant (Handyman or Sports & Enrichment) roles, no — Matric is not required. Trade certificates and sports coaching qualifications are an advantage.
How long does the teacher assistant contract last?
Phase V ran 6 months (1 June – 30 November 2025). All previous phases have been 4–6 months. Sites claiming "12-month Phase 6 contracts" have no official source.
Can I work as a teacher assistant if I'm 35?
The standard age cap is 34, turning 35 on or before 31 March of the contract year. LSEN (Learners with Special Educational Needs) schools accept applicants up to 39 (turning 40 by March).
Can I apply if I have a criminal record?
It depends. Convictions involving children, violence, or dishonesty are disqualifying — the Sexual Offences Register check is mandatory. Other minor offences may not disqualify you. Submit the application and let the police clearance process decide.
How do I report a teacher assistant scam?
Call SA Youth on 0800 72 72 72 (free), the DBE Call Centre on 0800 202 933, or SAPS on 08600 10111. Take screenshots before blocking the scammer.
What happened to the teacher assistant programme in South Africa?
Phase V (the latest cycle) ended on 30 November 2025. The DBE has publicly said that Phase VI was not funded by National Treasury for 2026. Whether it returns in future depends on the budget — watch the DBE Facebook page (@BasicEd) for any announcement.
Related guides
Last updated 17 May 2026. We review and refresh this guide regularly —
if something here is out of date, let us know.