The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African government initiative directed at addressing the lack of capable teachers during the country.
It provides financial aid to qualified students who want to go after a teaching qualification in locations which might be crucial for the schooling sector.
The Funza Lushaka bursary is made to boost teaching to be a profession by funding students to study for any Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a selected shortage of teachers, which include:
- 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**: Have to be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should intend to enroll or presently be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) at a acknowledged South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants will need to have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students need to clearly show satisfactory academic general performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Should plan to educate in a priority subject area as determined by the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Teaching**: Applicants have to reveal a commitment to teaching and an knowledge of its worth in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants really should not be older than 30 years when they apply.
*** Application Process To the Funza Lushaka Bursary:
1. ** On line Application**:
- Applications are submitted online with the Funza Lushaka 2025 official Funza Lushaka bursary program (about the Department of Basic Education's focused Web-site for Funza Lushaka).
- The applying window typically opens towards the end of the academic year and closes early the following year Funza lushaka online application (generally November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, academic results, and proof of university registration are required.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is given to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The application goes through a selection process depending on the need for teachers in specific subjects and .
***Exactly what does The Bursary Include?:
The bursary covers the following expenses:
- Tuition charges
- Accommodation and meals
- Books Funza Lushaka and studying elements
- 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 the academic and other requirements. Recipients need to reapply every year, and the renewal is subject to satisfactory academic performance.