The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a South African govt initiative targeted at addressing the shortage of skilled teachers within the country.

It offers financial help to eligible students who desire to pursue a teaching qualification in areas which have been critical for the education and learning sector.

The Funza Lushaka bursary is designed to boost educating for a profession by funding college students to study for any Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). The bursary covers fields with a specific scarcity of teachers, like:

- 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**: Should be a South African citizen with a valid ID.
2. **Study Requirements**: Should intend to enroll or already be enrolled in a full-time teaching qualification (BEd or PGCE) in a acknowledged South African university.
3. **Educational Performance**:
- First-time university entrants must have an admission point rating (APS) that qualifies them for admission right into a teaching qualification.
- Returning students ought to demonstrate satisfactory educational general performance.
4. **Field of Study**: Will have to plan to teach within a priority subject area as identified through the Department of Basic Education.
5. **Commitment to Teaching**: Applicants ought to display a dedication to teaching and an idea of its relevance in society.
6. **Age**: Applicants should not be older than thirty years once they apply.

*** Application Process For the Funza Lushaka Bursary:

1. ** On the net Application**:
- Applications are submitted on the web with the Formal Funza Lushaka bursary technique (to the Department of Basic Education's dedicated Internet site for Funza Lushaka).
- The applying window normally opens towards the tip from the academic yr and closes early the following year (normally November to January).
2. **Documentation**:
- Certified copies of ID, educational results, and proof of university registration are expected.
3. **Selection Process**:
- Preference is given to applicants from rural or disadvantaged backgrounds.
- The appliance goes by means of a selection process depending on the need for teachers in certain subjects and areas.

***Exactly what does The Bursary Cover?:
The Funza Lushaka 2025 bursary covers the subsequent expenses:
- Tuition costs
- Accommodation and foods
- Publications and studying elements
- A small 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.