The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative geared toward addressing the lack of experienced teachers during the country.
It offers financial help to eligible students who desire to pursue a teaching qualification in areas which have been critical for the education and learning sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is meant to boost teaching like a profession by funding university students to study for any Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a certain shortage 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**: Must be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should intend to enroll or presently be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) at a identified South African university.
3. **Academic 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 display satisfactory educational overall performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Will have to intend to teach inside of a priority subject area as determined by the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Teaching**: Applicants have to show a dedication to educating and an idea of its importance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants should more info not be older than 30 years when they apply.
*** Application Process To the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On the net Application**:
- Applications are submitted on-line with the official Funza Lushaka bursary method (within the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Web site for Funza Lushaka).
- The application window ordinarily opens towards the top with the academic 12 months and closes early the next year (ordinarily November to January).
2. Funza lushaka requirements **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and proof of university registration are required.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is provided to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The appliance goes via a range approach depending on the necessity for teachers in particular subjects and .
***What Does The Bursary Include?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition costs
- Accommodation and foods
- Publications and studying supplies
- 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 Funza Lushaka 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.