The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African govt initiative aimed toward addressing the shortage of qualified teachers within the country.
It offers economic help to eligible students who desire to pursue a teaching qualification in locations which might be crucial with the education sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is built to promote teaching as a occupation by funding students to study to get a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a selected shortage 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**: 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 needs to have an admission point score (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students need to exhibit satisfactory educational overall performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Have to plan to educate in a priority subject area as recognized with the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Educating**: Applicants will have to demonstrate a commitment to teaching and an knowledge of its relevance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants shouldn't be older than thirty years after they apply.
*** Application Procedure To the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On line Application**:
- Applications are submitted on line with Funza lushaka requirements the official Funza Lushaka bursary program (about the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Web-site for Funza Lushaka).
- The application window typically opens towards the top from the academic year and closes early the following calendar year (ordinarily November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and proof of university registration are necessary.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is given to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The appliance goes by a variety method determined by the need for teachers in read more specific subjects and .
***What Does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the subsequent expenses:
- Tuition costs
- Accommodation and meals
- Books and studying resources
- A small stipend for other living expenditures
***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.