The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African govt initiative geared toward addressing the scarcity of capable teachers from the country.
It provides financial help to suitable students who desire to pursue a teaching qualification in places which have been essential for the education and learning sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is created to boost educating for a profession by funding college students to study for a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a certain lack of teachers, including:
- Mathematics
- Physical Science
- Technology
- Languages (especially African languages)
- Early Childhood Development
- Foundation Phase Teaching
*** Who Qualifies For The Bursary?
To be eligible for the Funza Lushaka bursary, applicants must meet the following criteria:
1. **Citizenship**: Must be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should intend to enroll or currently be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) in a recognized South African university.
3. **Academic Performance**:
- First-time university entrants needs to have an admission point score (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students should display satisfactory educational performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Need to plan to educate within a precedence subject area as recognized because of the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Educating**: Applicants should exhibit a motivation to educating and an understanding of its relevance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants should not be older than 30 years once they apply.
*** Application Process For that Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. Funza lushaka requirements ** On line Application**:
- Applications are submitted on-line from the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary system (around the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Site for Funza Lushaka).
- The application window Funza Lushaka Bursary normally opens towards the tip of your academic year and closes early the following year (generally November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, academic results, and evidence of university registration are demanded.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is given to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The applying goes via a selection process depending on the need for teachers in certain subjects and .
***What Does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Books and studying elements
- A small stipend for other living expenses
***Conditions for Working Back the Bursary:
Upon graduation, bursary recipients are required to:
1. **Teach in a Public School**: Recipients must work as teachers in a public school for the same number of years that they received the bursary. This is known as the "work-back" period.
2. **Service Placement**: The Department of Basic Education will place Funza lushaka online application recipients in schools where their skills are needed, often in rural or underserved areas.
3. **Failure to Fulfill the Obligation**: If the recipient fails to meet the work-back obligation (e.g., not teaching after graduation or leaving before completing the required service), they will be required to repay the bursary amount in full, with interest.
***Renewal of the Bursary:
The bursary is renewable annually, provided the student continues to meet the academic and other requirements. Recipients need to reapply every year, and the renewal is subject to satisfactory academic performance.