The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative aimed toward addressing the scarcity of capable teachers from the country.
It provides economic support to eligible students who prefer to pursue a teaching qualification in places that are essential for the schooling sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is meant to promote teaching to be a profession by funding college students to study for the Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a specific lack of teachers, such as:
- 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**: Has to be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should plan to enroll or previously be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) at a acknowledged South African university.
3. **Academic Performance**:
- First-time university entrants have to have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students will have to display satisfactory academic overall performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Need to plan to teach in a very priority subject area as recognized via the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Teaching**: Applicants need to reveal a dedication to teaching and an idea of its significance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants shouldn't be older than 30 years once they apply.
*** Application Procedure With the Funza Lushaka Bursary Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On-line Application**:
- Applications are submitted on the web from the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary procedure (around the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Web site for Funza Lushaka).
- The application window normally opens towards the tip in the academic yr and closes early the next year (usually November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and evidence of university registration are demanded.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is provided to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The application goes via a variety procedure based on the necessity for teachers in certain subjects and locations.
***Exactly what does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition costs
- Accommodation and meals
- Guides and learning supplies
- A little 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 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.