The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative aimed at addressing the lack of capable teachers from the country.
It provides economic guidance to eligible students who need to pursue a teaching qualification in places that are essential for the schooling sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is made to boost teaching being a profession by funding university 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**: Needs to be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Must intend to enroll or previously be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) at a acknowledged South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants must have an admission point score (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students will have to present satisfactory academic efficiency.
4. **Field of Study**: Have to plan to teach inside a priority subject area as determined by the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Teaching**: Applicants need to demonstrate a commitment to teaching and an knowledge of its relevance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants really should not be older than thirty years after they apply.
*** Application Procedure For the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On-line Application**:
- Applications click here are submitted on-line with the official Funza Lushaka bursary program (on the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Web-site for Funza Lushaka).
- The applying window ordinarily opens towards the top of your academic calendar year and closes early the subsequent year (usually November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, academic results, and proof of university registration are required.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is given to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The appliance goes via a variety method according to the necessity for teachers in certain subjects and areas.
***Exactly what does The Bursary Include?:
The bursary covers the subsequent expenses:
- Tuition charges
- Accommodation and meals
- Guides and studying materials
- A little stipend for other living costs
***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 recipients in schools Funza Lushaka Bursary 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.