The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African govt initiative aimed toward addressing the lack of competent teachers in the country.

It provides economic guidance to suitable students who would like to go after a teaching qualification in places which might be significant for the schooling sector.

The Funza Lushaka bursary is meant to promote teaching as a occupation by funding university students to study for a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a specific scarcity 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**: Need to be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should intend to enroll or currently be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) in a recognized South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants needs to have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students must present satisfactory educational general performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Must intend to educate inside a priority subject area as determined because of the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Educating**: Applicants will have to reveal a dedication to teaching and an comprehension of its importance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants should not be older than thirty years after they apply.

*** Application Procedure With the Funza Lushaka Bursary:

1. ** On line Application**:
- Applications are submitted on the Funza lushaka requirements internet with the official Funza Lushaka bursary program (about the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Web site for Funza Lushaka).
- The application window typically opens towards the top with the academic 12 months and closes early the next year (typically November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and evidence of university registration are essential.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is given to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The application goes as a result of a range approach based on the necessity for teachers in specific subjects and areas.

***Exactly what does The Bursary Cover?:
The bursary covers the subsequent expenses:
- Tuition costs
- Accommodation and meals
- Guides and learning materials
- A little stipend for other living expenses

***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.