Applications for the Funza Lushaka bursary for 2014 are accepted from 01 October 2013.
Please note that there are approximately 3500 new bursaries
available in 2014. New applicants are advised to also pursue other
funding opportunities.
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year programme that
promotes teaching in public schools. Bursaries are available to enable
eligible students to complete a full teaching qualification in an area
of national priority. Recipients of the bursary will be required to
teach at a school or provincial education department for the same number
of years that they receive the bursary. Qualified recipients of the
bursary can apply for appropriate public school positions with the
provincial education department (PED) of their choice. The PED concerned
will determine whether there is a suitable post available. If there is
not, the applicant will be offered employment in a PED that does have
suitable vacancies.
Admission criteria
The bursary is only awarded to South African citizens.
Applications will not be considered unless the applicant has a valid
South African ID number. Applicants for the bursary must already have
been accepted into an appropriate study programme at a recognized higher
education institution. Applicants also need to meet certain admission
criteria of the institution and they must also meet the national
selection criteria for the Funza Lushaka bursary.
Selection criteria include the following:
The applicant’s academic ability;
Eligibility for an approved degree or PGCE in one of the priority areas;
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;
Commitment to teach in any school to which a student may be appointed by a PED.
Everything else being equal, selection should favour
candidates from rural areas, candidates who wish to teach in rural areas
and candidates whose financial position would otherwise exclude them
from enrolment for a teaching qualification. The bursary will only be
awarded if one of the priority area specialization subjects is included
as a teaching subject in your qualification.
Programmes to be funded
Three types of qualifications can be funded. These are shown
in the table below. The qualification must include subjects which will
allow the student to specialise as a teacher in at least one priority
area (see next section below).
Undergraduates Bachelor of Education
4-year Bachelor of Education degree (B Ed),
specialising in Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3), Intermediate Phase
(Grade 4 – 6), Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9) and FET Phase (Grade 10-12).
Undergraduate Bachelor of Science
3/4 -year Bachelors degree e.g. Bachelor of Science,
Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Computer Science,
Bachelor of Technology in fields suitable for admission to the one-year
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
Application for funding for a Bachelors degree implies that the
applicant commits to enrol for the PGCE upon completion of the
undergraduate degree.
Post-Graduates
One-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for graduates whose degrees include majors in priority areas.
More Details About Funded Areas...
How to apply
You have to apply online at Education Department Website, see links below
First Time Applicant Click Here
Re-Applicants Click Here
Download the Brochure and Application Note Documents
Download Brochure, Click Here
Download Application Notes, Click Here
Closing Date 10 January 2014 for New Applicants
15 November 2013 for returning bursars