The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative directed at addressing the lack of experienced teachers while in the country.
It provides economic support to eligible students who need to pursue a teaching qualification in places which have been important for your education and learning sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is created to boost 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, 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**: Has to be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should intend to enroll or currently be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) in a recognized South African university.
3. **Academic Performance**:
- First-time university entrants needs to have an admission point score (APS) that qualifies them for admission into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students ought to display satisfactory educational performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Need to plan to educate in a priority subject area as recognized because of the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Educating**: Applicants should show a motivation to educating and an idea of its great importance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants should not be older than 30 years when they apply.
*** Application Process To the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On the net Application**:
- Applications Funza Lushaka are submitted on the internet with the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary process (over the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Web page for Funza Lushaka).
- The applying window typically opens towards the end of the academic year and closes early the following year (commonly November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and more info proof of university registration are demanded.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is offered to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The applying goes as a result of a range course of action based on the necessity for teachers in certain subjects and places.
***What Does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the subsequent expenses:
- Tuition costs
- Accommodation and meals
- Publications and studying products
- 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 as teachers in a public school for the same number of Funza lushaka requirements 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.