Unpaid stipends leave Gauteng learner support agents struggling, say they can’t afford food or rent

Hundreds of learner support agents in Gauteng say delayed stipend payments have left them unable to afford basic necessities, with some facing eviction and rising debt, according to The Citizen.

Who is affected and when

According to The Citizen, many of the Learner Support Agents (LSAs) are employed through the Gauteng Department of Education and were placed under the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance. The Citizen reports that numerous LSAs had not received their May stipends despite signing contracts on 10 April and commencing work in May.

Financial and emotional impact

In a letter sent to The Citizen, a group of LSAs said the lack of payment and communication had placed many workers under severe financial pressure. The group told the newspaper:

“The stipends we receive are not luxuries, but essential for transport to work, groceries, rent, and supporting our families.”

Individual workers described the consequences in stark terms. One worker who requested anonymity told The Citizen:

“My landlord wants to evict me, and I haven’t been able to support my family,”

and added:

“This has affected my mental well-being as stress has taken a lot from me, and a rise in debts as I don’t have money for food.”

Another affected LSA told The Citizen the delay was a “major inconvenience”, saying:

“We cannot even buy ourselves simple toiletries so that we arrive at work clean. It has affected my situation with money for rent, food and cosmetics. Also, with policies that are also lapsing.”

Continuing to work while unpaid

According to The Citizen, the workers say they continue reporting for duty and provide support to vulnerable learners despite not receiving payment. The Citizen notes that LSAs provide psychosocial support in schools, helping students navigate emotional, social and behavioural challenges.

Calls for clarity and prompt action

The group told The Citizen they are calling on authorities to urgently address the delays and provide clear communication on payment timelines, citing what they describe as a recurring pattern of delayed payments within the programme.

The Citizen sent questions to the Gauteng Department of Education regarding the alleged payment delays; at the time of publication, the department had not responded, the report states.