WHO IS FUNZA LUSHAKA?
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is aimed to support teaching studies and available to qualified applicants to complete a teaching degree at accredited institution of higher learning in South Africa. Bursary recipients are then required to teach at public schools equivalent to the duration of the bursary received.
BURSARY DESCRIPTION
The Funza Lushaka is offered by the South African Department of Education. It is essentially a multi-year programme. The aim of this bursary programme is to promote teaching in public schools.
BURSARY COVERS
This is a full-cost bursary to assist its recipients to complete their teaching qualification before they are absorbed into the system.
The bursary covers the following:
Tuition Fee
Registration Fee
Accommodation and Meals
Books Allowance
Laboratory fees where applicable
Please note the bursary cover may be adjusted from year to year based on the allocated budget.
BURSARIES AVAILABLE
Undergraduate studies: a 4-year Bachelor of Education degree (BEd), which specialises in any of the following:
Foundation Phase (Grade R to Grade 3)
Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to Grade 6) or
Senior and Further Education and Training Teaching (Grade 7 to Grade 12).
Graduate studies: a 1-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for graduates pursuing degrees with two priority subjects (1 module or course must have been completed or studied at 3rd year level, 1 priority subject must have been completed or studied at 2nd year level)
Only the PGCE for Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (SPFET) (Grade 7 to Grade 12) will be funded.
ELIGIBILITY
All applicants must meet the following criteria:
Applicant must be a South African citizen
Applicant must have a valid South African ID number
Applicant must be 30 years old or younger, if applying for the first time
Applicant must have been accepted to study towards a BEd degree or PGCE programme, specialising in at least 2 of the priority subject areas (extended programmes are not covered)
Applicant must have been accepted to study at a recognised tertiary institution in South African
Applicant must be willing to teach at any school, as selected by the Provincial Education Department (PED)
Applicant must have a strong academic record
Applicant must NOT be a Higher Education Institution employees (or a spouse, dependent or child of a Higher Education Institution employee)
Applicant must 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
Applicant must NOT have any other teaching qualifications
Applicant must have a clear criminal record
Applicant must NOT have any charges of misconduct or have been dismissed from work
First time university entrants must also meet the following criteria:
Applicant must have achieved a minimum of level 4 in Matric for 2 subjects you intend on specialising to teach
Applicant must have achieved a Matric exemption, endorsement or bachelor degree admission
Applicants who will be specialising in Intermediate Phase: you must have achieved a minimum level 2 pass for Mathematics OR or level 4 pass for Mathematical Literacy in Matric, AND a minimum of level 4 for your Home Language
Applicants who will be specialising in Foundation Phase: you must have achieved a minimum level 2 pass for Mathematics OR or level 4 pass for Mathematical Literacy in Matric, AND a minimum of level 4 for your Home Language
Applicants who will be specialising in teaching Technology subjects (including CAT), who did not pass these subjects in Matric: you must have achieved a minimum level 4 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 applicants currently at university must also meet the following criteria:
Applicants must have passed all subjects in past year of tertiary study
Applicants must have achieved a minimum overall average of 55%, for all subjects studied in last year of tertiary study
Applicants must have achieved a minimum overall average of 66.5% for subjects related to the teaching area of specialisation in last year of tertiary study
New applicants enrolling for PGCE must also meet the following criteria:
Applicnats must have completed a qualification that allows admission into the PGCE programme
Applicants must be studying towards the PGCE for Senior Phase and Further Education and Training Teaching (SPFET) (Grade 7 to Grade 12)
Applicant must have 2 priority subjects with 1 module successfully completed at third year level, and 1 module successfully completed at second year level
Applicant must have sufficient modules in the priority subjects in order to qualify to teach it as a subject at school
HOW TO APPLY?
To apply for the Funza Lushaka bursary for 2022 studies, candidates must closely follow these steps:
Visit the e-Government Portal website
Register an account by filling in your required personal details
Login using your selected username and password
Select the “Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme” on the e-Services Menu
Insert the OTP you received
Read and accept the Terms and Conditions
Click on the “2022 application” button on the dashboard
Fill in the required information
Read and accept the declaration to confirm your information
Please note: applications must ONLY be done online – NO hard copy applications will be accepted.
APPLICATION FOR THE FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY
Applicant must read the Funza Lushaka Bursary Information before applying
Applicant 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 submission
Ensure that your priority subject areas on your application for are the ones you will specialise in
Academic year of study means the level you are studying (B Ed 1 is 1st year, B Ed 2 is 2nd year etc)
Applicant 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
Existing or returning bursary applicants: 29 November 2021.
New applications: 1 February 2022
CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 012 357 3000
Email: inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za
