The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative geared toward addressing the scarcity of competent teachers during the country.
It offers economic aid to eligible students who want to pursue a teaching qualification in places which might be important for that schooling sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is built to encourage teaching to be a occupation by funding college students to study for a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a selected scarcity of teachers, like:
- 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 intend to enroll or presently be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) at a acknowledged South African university.
3. **Academic Performance**:
- First-time university entrants should have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students need to show satisfactory academic efficiency.
4. **Field of Study**: Must intend to teach inside of a precedence subject area as identified with the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Educating**: Applicants must show a dedication to teaching and an comprehension of its great importance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants should not be older than thirty years after they apply.
*** Application Procedure With the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On-line Application**:
- Applications are submitted on-line with the official Funza Lushaka bursary system (around the Department of Basic Education's focused Web-site for Funza Lushaka).
- The applying window generally opens towards the end of the academic calendar year and closes early the next 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 offered to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The application goes by a selection process based on the need for teachers in certain subjects and Funza Lushaka application areas.
***Exactly what does The Bursary Include?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition costs
- Accommodation and foods
- Publications and learning products
- 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 get more info 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.