The Eastern Cape Department of Education held the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative in East London, Buffalo City Metro at the International Convention Centre on the 4th and 5th April.

" The Initiative reflects on Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Presidential Youth Employment Initiative (PYEI), implemented in the Basic Education Sector, as well as preparing for Audit," said the ECDoE MEC Fundile Gade as he was welcoming the attendees during the launch.

Presenting on the provincial perspective on implementation of phase 2 of PYEI-BEEI including training and expenditures, the Provincial Team Manager of the Presidential Initiative, Lukhanyo Sidiya said, "The Initiative has brought relief to the Provinces education sector which was failing to cope with demand of human resources needed in schools during Covid-19, as well as ensuring that the department manages to continue teaching and learning in the schools."

Elijah Mhlanga, Chief Director at the National Department of Basic Education gave an overview saying, "We came to share challenges and successes that were experienced throughout the 2 phases, what we can do differently and improve on as we entering phase 3."

Lukhanyo Sidiya also highlighted that the Eastern Cape started and was later recognized as the best in the implementation of handyman.  This refers to skills such as tiling, painting, carpentry, ceramics and brick laying, providing this skill to 100 people per district with a total of 1200 altogether.