The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African govt initiative aimed at addressing the lack of qualified teachers in the country.
It offers economic assistance to suitable students who prefer to go after a teaching qualification in locations that happen to be vital for your education and learning sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is intended to boost educating like a career 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, 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**: Need to be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should plan to enroll or already be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) at a regarded South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants will need to have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students need to display satisfactory educational efficiency.
4. **Field of Study**: Must intend to teach inside a priority subject area as recognized with the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Educating**: Applicants must show a dedication to educating and an understanding of its significance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants shouldn't be older than 30 years when they apply.
*** Application Process With the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On the net Application**:
- Applications are submitted on line throughout the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary procedure (to the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Site for Funza Lushaka).
- The application window generally opens towards the tip with the academic calendar year and closes early the following calendar year (usually November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and proof of university registration are expected.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is provided to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The applying goes by a selection method based on the need for teachers in specific subjects and areas.
***What Does The Bursary Include?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation and foods
- Textbooks and studying elements
- A small 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 Funza Lushaka Bursary 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.