The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African govt initiative geared toward addressing the shortage of certified teachers during the country.
It provides economic support to suitable students who desire to pursue a teaching qualification in places which might be critical to the education and learning sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is created to boost educating like a career 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 lack 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**: Must be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should plan to enroll or previously be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) at a recognized South African university.
3. **Academic Performance**:
- First-time university entrants have to have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students must present satisfactory academic overall performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Ought to plan to educate in a priority subject area as identified from the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Teaching**: Applicants need to exhibit a dedication to teaching and an understanding of its importance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants should not be older than 30 years when they apply.
*** Application Process With the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** Online Application**:
- Applications are submitted online through the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary procedure (over the Department of Basic Education's focused Web page for Funza Lushaka).
- The applying window normally opens towards the end from the academic year and closes early the subsequent calendar year (normally November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, academic results, and evidence of university registration are necessary.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is provided to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The appliance goes as a result of a selection process based on the necessity for teachers in particular subjects and areas.
***Exactly what does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition costs
- Accommodation and meals
- Guides and studying components
- 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 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 here the academic and other requirements. Recipients need to reapply every year, and the renewal is subject to satisfactory academic performance.