The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative targeted at addressing the lack of skilled teachers during the country.
It offers economic help to suitable students who wish to go after a teaching qualification in areas which have been critical for the education sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is made to boost teaching like a occupation by funding students to study for any Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a specific 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 already be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) at a recognized South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants need to have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students ought to present satisfactory educational efficiency.
4. **Field of Study**: Ought to plan to educate inside of a precedence subject area as discovered by the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Educating**: Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to educating and an idea of its great importance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants really should not be older than thirty years once they apply.
*** Application Process For your Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On-line Application**:
- Applications are submitted on-line through the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary technique (within the Department of Basic Education's dedicated website for Funza Lushaka).
- The applying window normally opens towards the end of your academic 12 months and closes early the following calendar year (typically November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, academic results, and proof of university registration are needed.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is given to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The appliance goes by means of a range approach depending on the necessity for teachers in specific subjects and places.
***What Does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the subsequent expenses:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Guides and learning elements
- 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 more info 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.