The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative directed at addressing the scarcity of competent teachers within the country.
It offers economic support to suitable students who want to go after a teaching qualification in places which have been vital with the schooling sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is meant to promote educating being a career 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 particular scarcity 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**: Should be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Must plan to enroll or previously be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) in a recognized South African university.
3. **Academic Performance**:
- First-time university entrants need to have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students should demonstrate satisfactory educational performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Need to intend to educate in a very precedence subject area as discovered via the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Educating**: Applicants must show a dedication to teaching and an knowledge of its value in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants shouldn't be older than 30 years when they apply.
*** Application Process For the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On-line Application**:
- Applications are submitted on-line with the official Funza Lushaka bursary system (on the Department of Basic Education's focused Web-site for Funza Lushaka).
- The applying window commonly opens towards the tip in the academic yr and closes early the following calendar year (commonly November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and proof of university registration are required.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is provided to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The appliance goes by means of a selection process according to the necessity for teachers in particular subjects and areas.
***Exactly what does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition service fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Books 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 more info 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.