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ABOUT THE COMPANY – DEPARTMENT OF BASIC EDUCATION

The Department of Basic Education deals with schools throughout South Africa, from Grade R to 12 and adult literacy programmes. The DBE was formerly part of the National Department of Education before it split into two: the DBE (Department of Basic Education) and DHE (Department of Higher Education)

The departments goal is to create a sustainable South African education system for the 21st century – one where all learners have access to learning, training and education. Their vision is that the education system will improve the quality of life for all South Africans and create a peaceful, prosperous and democratic country.

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The Department of Education in South Africa, has a bursary programme for student teachers that require study funding – The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme. The aim of this bursary award is to help financially disadvantages students who intend on studying in the Education sector, who will ultimately give back to the community by teaching at public schools.
Bursaries will be awarded within the following areas:

  • Foundation Phase Teaching (Grades R-3): with preference for African Languages
  • Intermediate and Senior Phase Teaching (Grades 4-9): majoring in any of the following 2 subjects: Mathematics/ Languages/ Technology/ Natural Science
  • FET Phase Teaching (Grades 10-12): majoring in any of the following 2 subjects: Accounting/ Economics/ Mathematics/ Technical Mathematics/ Agricultural Sciences/ Physical Sciences/ Life Sciences/ Technical Science/ Geography/ Languages/ Agricultural Technology/ Civil Technology/ Information Technology/ Computer Applications Technology/ Electrical Technology/ Mechanical Technology/ Engineering Graphics and Design

 

MORE ABOUT THE BURSARY PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE & SERVICE CONTRACT

The bursary covers the following expenses: tuition fees, food and accommodation, textbooks and study materials and allowance for general living expenses.

Please note: on completion of the teaching qualification, bursary applicants will be required to teach at a public school for the equal duration of their bursary.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

  • South African citizen
  • Students must be accepted into a suitable qualification, at one of the recognised tertiary institutions
  • Must be able to show satisfactory academic capability
  • Willing to teach at a school appointed to them by the Provincial Education Department
  • A keen interest in working with children
  • Clear criminal record
  • Must not have any charges of misconduct or dismissed from work
  • Preference will be given to applicants in rural areas and applicants who intend on teaching in rural areas

First time university entrants:

  • Matric exemption/ endorsement/ bachelor degree admission
  • Achieved a minimum of 60%/ level 4 (Standard Grade) OR 50% (Higher Grade) in Matric for subject you intend on specialising to teach
  • If intending on specialising in Foundation Phase – must have passed Matric Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy and 60%/ level 4 (Standard Grade) OR 50% (Higher Grade) for your Home Language
  • If intending on specialising in Technology subjects (including CAT) – must have passed Matric Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy

Students currently at university:

  • Passed all subjects studied in 2017/ last year of tertiary study
  • Achieved a minimum average of 55% for all subjects studied in 2017/ last year of tertiary study
  • Achieved a minimum average of 55% for subjects related to the teaching area of specialisation in 2017/ last year of tertiary study

New students enrolling for PGCE:

  • Completed a qualification that allows admission into PGCE
  • For PGCE Foundation Phase Teaching – must have majored in an African Language and Psychology
  • For PGCE Intermediate Phase, Senior Phase, Further Education and Training Teaching – must have majored in chosen area of specialisation from the B. degree
  • Have a minimum of 2 selected priority subjects at 2nd year of study
  • Have enough subjects in the selected priority subjects to qualify to teach at school

Current bursars:

  • Achieved a minimum average of 50% across all subjects
  • Passed a minimum of two-thirds of subjects studied in the most recent year of university study
  • Passed a minimum of two-thirds of priority subjects in the most recent year of Higher Education study
  • If doing 1 priority subject – must have passed the subject
  • Progressing to the next year of study

Note: if the university requirements are higher than the Funza Lushaka Bursary requirements (or vice versa), the higher requirement will apply.

How to Apply and Application Details

  1. Funza Lushaka Online application is a must
  2. Go to the e-Gov portal at www.eservices.gov.za
    1. Register your online profile by providing your personal details (or login with your previous login details if you already have an account)
    2. Enter the OTP (One Time Pin) you will receive on your preferred channel to complete the process
    3. Once logged in, go to the e-Services menu and choose Funza Lushaka Bursary
    4. Accept the Funza Lushaka terms and conditions to proceed
    5. On the Dashboard menu, click on the 2022 Application button and follow the steps. completing all the required fields with accurate information.
    6. Accept the confirmation declaration and receive feedback on the status of the application through email.
  3. Print the completed online application and submit it to the university where you are accepted and registered.
  4. Accompany the application form with certified copies of your ID and your academic records:
    • Certified copy of Grade 12 result or certificate, for 1st-year students coming out of Grade 12
    • Certified copy of the latest academic transcript, for students already at university
  5. Accompanying documents must be submitted to the applicant’s university coordinator, otherwise, the application will be rejected.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

  • New applicants are advised to also pursue other funding opportunities such as NSFAS.
  • The outcome of the selection process will be available from the University no later than 30 April each year.
  • Late applications will not be considered.
  • Should applicants need to make changes in their application details, they have access to the online bursary application by going to “Update personal details”. Updating application details is only allowed before the application closing date. Changing institutions and areas of specialization will not be allowed and doing so will subject an application to rejection.
  • Application for the bursary is not a guarantee that a student will obtain it.

 

Application Closing Date

Re-applications (for Existing/Returning Bursary Recipients): 30 November 2023

First-time applicants bursary deadline closes on: 02 February 2024

 

Contact Details

Please contact your university’s Funza Lushaka academic and administrative coordinators. Alternatively, you can also your provincial education department (PED) or contact the Department of Basic Education here:

Phone: 012 357 3000
Email: inquiries.funzalushaka@dbe.gov.za