Applications Open for the Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary Programme 2023

The Department of Education invites applications from student who want to study Bachelor of Education to apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme 2023 academic year. The bursary is aimed at students who are studying to become teachers and is awarded annually, based of academic ability.

What the Bursary Covers

• Tuition fees,
• Books,
• Study materials,
• Accommodation,
• Meals,
• Teaching practice
• An allowance for general living expenses.

Bursaries are awarded for 1 academic year at a time and students are required to reapply for funding each year. Renewal of the bursary is NOT guaranteed, but is dependent on students academic performance.

After graduation, bursary recipients will be required to teach at a public school (selected by the Provincial Education Department (PED)). The service contract duration will be equal to the duration of bursary funding received.

Undergraduate studies: a 4-year Bachelor of Education degree (BEd), which specializes in any of the following:

• Foundation Phase (Grade R to Grade 3) (preferably majoring in South African Indigenous Languages, Neurodevelopment Needs, Braille, SASL)
• Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to Grade 6) (preferably majoring in 2 of these subjects: Languages, Mathematics, and Natural Science & Technology)
• Senior and Further Education and Training Teaching (Grade 7 to Grade 12) (preferably majoring in 2 of these subjects: Accounting, Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Technology, Civil Technology, Computer Applications Technology, Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphics and Design, Geography, Information Technology, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Mechanical Technology, Physical Sciences, Languages, Maritime studies, Coding and Robitics, Technical Mathematics and Technical Science)

Graduate studies: a 1-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)for:

• Senior and Further Education and Training Teaching (Grade 7 to Grade 12)

Requirements

• South African citizen
• 30 years old or younger, if applying for the first time
• You must have been accepted to study towards a BEd degree or PGCE programme, specializing in at least 2 of the priority subject areas (extended programmes are not covered)
• You must have been accepted to study at a public university in South Africa
• A strong academic record
• Willing to teach at any school, as selected by the Provincial Education Department (PED)
• Not be a Higher Education Institution employees (or a spouse, dependent or child of a Higher Education Institution employee)
• Be committed and passionate about a career in teaching, including having an interest in working with youth; enthusiasm for teaching; and be willing and ready to face challenges with integrity
• Not have any other teaching qualifications
• Not have a criminal record
• Not have any charges of misconduct
• Not have been dismissed from work

Criteria for First Time University Entrants

• You must have passed Matric with an exemption, endorsement or bachelor degree admission
• You must have achieved a minimum of level 4 in Matric for 2 subjects you intend on specializing to teach
• Students who will specialize in Foundation Phase: you must have achieved a minimum level 2 pass for Mathematics OR a minimum level 4 pass for Mathematical Literacy AND a minimum of level 4 pass for your Home Language in Matric
• Students who will specialize in Intermediate Phase: you must have achieved a minimum level 4 pass for Mathematics AND a minimum of level 4 pass for your Home Language AND/OR a minimum level 4 pass for Science AND a minimum of level 4 pass for your Home Language in Matric
• Students who will specialize in teaching Technology subjects (including CAT, IT, and other Technical stream subjects), who did not pass these subjects in Matric: you must have achieved a minimum level 4 pass for Mathematics or Technical Mathematics in Matric

Note: if the tertiary institution’s entry requirements are higher than the bursary requirement, or vice versa, the higher requirement will apply.

New Students Currently at University Criteria:

• You must have passed all subjects in the previous year of tertiary study
• You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 55% for all subjects studied in the previous year of tertiary study
• You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 66.6% for subjects related to the teaching area of specialization in the previous year of tertiary study

PGCE Criteria:

• You must have completed a qualification that allows admission into the PGCE programme
• You must be studying towards the PGCE for Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (SPFET) (Grade 7 to Grade 12)
• You must have 2 priority subjects, with 1 module successfully completed at third year level, and 1 module successfully completed at second year level
• You must have sufficient modules in the priority subjects in order to qualify to teach it as a subject at school

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online at: Funza Lushaka Bursary Application 2023

Applicants must follow these steps to submit their bursary application:
1) Visit the e-Government Portal website
2) Register an account by filling in your required personal details (after ticking the boxes to agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy of the e-Gov portal)
3) Login using your selected username and password
4) Select the “Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme” on the e-Services Menu
5) Insert the OTP you received
6) Read and accept the Terms and Conditions
7) Click on the “2023 application” button on the dashboard
8) Fill in the required information
9) Read and accept the declaration to confirm your information

Note: only online applications will be accepted – NO hard copy applications will be accepted.

APPLICATION NOTES FOR THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY

• Students must read the Funza Lushaka Bursary Information before applying.
• Students must have a valid student number when applying (this will be received after you have been accepted or provisionally accepted at university).
• Ensure that your information submitted is correct – you will be able to access your online application to make any changes before final submission.
• Ensure that your priority subject areas on your application for are the ones you will specialize in.
• Academic year of study means the level you are studying (B Ed 1 is 1st year, B Ed 2 is 2nd year etc).
• You are not allowed to change institutions after applying for the bursary.
• Applying for the bursary does NOT automatically guarantee you will receive it.
• Supporting documents must be submitted to your university’s Funza Lushaka office.

Closing Date: Monday 16th January 2023