The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African govt initiative aimed toward addressing the scarcity of certified teachers within the country.
It offers financial guidance to eligible students who need to pursue a teaching qualification in places which are important for your schooling sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is meant to promote teaching being 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 particular scarcity of teachers, for example:
- 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 plan to enroll or presently be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) in a identified South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants will need to have an admission point score (APS) that qualifies them for admission into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students need to demonstrate satisfactory educational efficiency.
4. **Field of Study**: Will have to plan to teach inside a precedence subject area as discovered via the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Educating**: Applicants need to exhibit a commitment to educating and an comprehension of its significance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants really should not be older than 30 years after they apply.
*** Application Process To the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On the internet Application**:
- Applications are submitted on-line from the official Funza Lushaka bursary procedure (to the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Web page for Funza Lushaka).
- The application Funza lushaka online application window usually opens towards the tip of the academic yr and closes early the next calendar year (generally November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, academic results, and evidence of university registration are required.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is given to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The appliance goes by a selection approach based upon the necessity for teachers in certain subjects and places.
***Exactly what does The Bursary Include?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition charges
- Accommodation and meals
- Textbooks and learning resources
- 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 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.