The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African govt initiative aimed at addressing the shortage of certified teachers inside the country.
It provides monetary help to suitable students who desire to pursue a teaching qualification in areas which are critical for the education and learning sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is built to promote educating as a occupation 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 specific shortage of teachers, such as:
- 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**: Must intend to enroll or presently be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) in a acknowledged South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants must have an admission point score (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students will have to present satisfactory academic general 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 must show a dedication to Funza educating and an comprehension of its value in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants really should not be older than 30 years when they apply.
*** Application Process For your Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On the web Application**:
- Applications are submitted on the net in the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary procedure (on the Department of Basic Education's focused Web site for Funza Lushaka).
- The applying window ordinarily opens towards the end on the academic year and closes early the next calendar year (ordinarily November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and proof of university registration are expected.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is given to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The appliance goes by a selection method depending on the need for teachers in specific subjects and .
***What Does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition service fees
- Accommodation and foods
- Publications and learning 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 years that they received the bursary. This is known as the "work-back" period.
2. **Service Placement**: The Department of Basic Education will Funza Lushaka application 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.