The Basic Education Employment Initiative (also known as PYEI-DBE) has created over 1 million opportunities for young people to be placed as assistants in schools across the country, becoming the largest youth employment programme in South Africa’s history. In 2023, it completed its fourth phase.  There are two categories of school assistants. Education Assistants (EAs) support teachers in the classroom. These posts require a matric, with graduates prioritised. General Assistants (GAs) assist with tasks such as school maintenance, security, food gardens and after-school care. The BEEI has provided a new example of how public employment programmes can go rapidly to scale, creating meaningful work at decent standards for young people, while delivering real public value. Surveys illustrate that levels of support from teachers and principals have consistently remained above 93%, with many believing it is strengthening the learning environment at schools. As the programme matures, the scope for it to move the dial on learning outcomes is growing. It has a highly equitable spatial footprint, creating jobs in even the most remote and marginalised communities – because every community has schools. In 2024, funds for the BEEI were not allocated directly from the fiscus; it was instead announced in the Budget speech that funds for the programme would come from the UIF Labour Activation Programme. The terms of such funding are still under discussion and the programme has unforuntately not, therefore, been implemented in 2024.