The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative aimed toward addressing the lack of experienced teachers inside the country.
It provides monetary help to suitable students who would like to pursue a teaching qualification in areas which are critical for the education sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is created to promote teaching as being a profession by funding college 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, for instance:
- 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**: Needs to be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should plan to enroll or already be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) in a regarded South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants will need to have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students need to exhibit satisfactory educational general performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Should intend to teach in a very precedence subject area as discovered by the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Teaching**: Applicants ought to more info demonstrate a dedication to educating and an understanding of its relevance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants shouldn't be older than thirty years after they apply.
*** Application Procedure For the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On line Application**:
- Applications are submitted on the internet from the official Funza Lushaka bursary program (about the Department of Basic Education's focused Site for Funza Lushaka).
- The application window normally opens towards the tip of the academic year and closes early the subsequent year (generally November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and evidence of university registration are essential.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is offered to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The application goes through a range process determined by the need for teachers in particular subjects and places.
***What Does The Bursary Include?:
The bursary covers the subsequent expenses:
- Tuition costs
- Accommodation and foods
- Books and studying resources
- A small 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 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.