The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative aimed at addressing the scarcity of capable teachers during the country.
It provides financial assistance to suitable students who prefer to go after a teaching qualification in places which have been significant for the schooling sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is built to promote educating being a occupation by funding students to study for the Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a certain shortage of teachers, which include:
- 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**: Should be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should plan to enroll or currently 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 have to display satisfactory educational performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Ought to intend to teach inside of a priority subject area as determined by the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Teaching**: Applicants ought to demonstrate a dedication to educating and an idea of its significance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants shouldn't be older than thirty years after they apply.
*** Application Procedure For the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On the web Application**:
- Applications are submitted on line from the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary process (to the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Web site for Funza Lushaka).
- The application window normally opens towards the tip on the academic yr and closes early the subsequent year (normally November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, academic results, and proof of university registration are essential.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is provided to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The application goes through a selection course of action based on the need for teachers in certain subjects and areas.
***What Does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the subsequent expenses:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Guides 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 Funza Lushaka 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, check here 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.