Funza Lushaka Bursary in South Africa

The Department of Basic Education is currently accepting applications for the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme. Only South African citizens are invited to apply. They must have been accepted into a either BEd or PGCE qualification at an accredited public University. The bursaries may cover all of the essential cost for the students. The deadline is 16 November 2018 and 11 January 2019.

Scholarship Description
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year programme to promote teaching as a profession. Bursaries are available to enable eligible students to complete a teaching qualification in an area of national priority. Recipients of these bursaries will be required to teach at a public school for the same number of years that they received the bursary.

Level and Area of Studies
BEd or PGCE program in any field. The following fields will be given preference: Accounting; Agricultural Sciences; Agricultural Technology; Civil Technology; Computer Applications Technology; Economics; Electrical Technology; Engineering Graphics and Design; Geography; Information Technology; Life Sciences; Mathematics; Mechanical Technology; Physical Sciences, Languages, Technical Mathematics and Technical Science.

Place of Study
The study will be taken in South Africa.

Eligibility and Criteria

  • The bursary is only awarded to South African citizens with a valid South African ID number.
  • Allocation of Funza Lushaka bursaries to Higher Education Institution employees, their spouse and their dependents/children is not permissible.
  • Bursary applicants must already have been accepted into a either BEd or PGCE qualification at an accredited public University. The applicant must also meet the national selection criteria for the Funza Lushaka bursary.
  • The bursary will only be awarded if two of the priority area subjects are included as a specialisation in the teaching qualification.
  • Please note that you are responsible for paying your registration fee, awaiting the outcome of the bursary application. Paying for the registration fee, does not mean you will receive the bursary.
  • The Bursary Selection Committee meets and processes all bursary applications during February and March of the academic year.
  • The Funza Lushaka Bursary Coordinator at the University will notify you, not later than 30 April, as to whether you have been awarded the bursary or not.
  • The bursary holder is not allowed to change the area of specialisation on which basis the bursary was awarded.
  • On qualifying, the bursar will be required to take up a provincial teaching post. The bursar will not be granted permission to defer this contractual obligation, for example, to continue with full-time Honours studies. Nor, will the bursar be granted permission to take a “gap year”.
  • Bursars will be expected to have an e-mail address and a cell phone contact for SMS purposes.
  • The bursary must be repaid if the recipient fails to meet the requirements of the bursary agreement.
  • The amount that is repayable is the full amount of the bursary received under the programme, less one year’s funding for every year spent teaching at a public school. Interest will be charged at the rate determined by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) who administer financial aspects of the bursary on behalf of the Department of Basic Education.
  • The bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time. On proof of academic success, the bursary may be renewed each year for the official duration of the qualification. The bursary holder will be required to re-apply from the 1st of October for the following year.
  • The applicant should demonstrate good academic ability; The applicant must show commitment to a teaching career, which includes: interest in working with young people; enthusiasm for a professional career in teaching; readiness to face and surmount difficult challenges and personal integrity.

Applicants’ Nationality
Only South African citizens are invited to apply.

Application Instruction
Application should be made through the link below.

Submission Deadline
16 November 2018 and 11 January 2019.

Website and Application Link