The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative geared toward addressing the lack of skilled teachers during the country.
It provides economic aid to eligible students who need to pursue a teaching qualification in locations which might be critical for your education sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is meant to boost educating as being a occupation by funding college students to study for the Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a selected lack of teachers, including:
- 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**: Need to be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should plan to enroll or presently be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) in a regarded South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants needs to have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students should display satisfactory educational efficiency.
4. **Field of Study**: Will have to plan to teach in a precedence subject area as determined through the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Teaching**: Applicants will have to exhibit a commitment to teaching and an comprehension of its relevance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants should not be older than thirty years when they apply.
*** Application Process For the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On the net Application**:
- Applications are submitted on-line from the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary program (on the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Web-site for Funza Lushaka).
- The application window commonly opens towards the end of your academic year and closes early the next year (typically November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, academic results, and Funza Lushaka evidence of university registration are necessary.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is offered to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The application goes via a variety system depending on the need for teachers in particular subjects and more info locations.
***What Does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition charges
- Accommodation and meals
- Publications and learning components
- A little stipend for other living expenditures
***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 Funza Lushaka 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.