Funza Lushaka Bursary South Africa 2024: A Comprehensive Guide
Are you passionate about education and dedicating your career to teach South Africa’s youth? Considering becoming a teacher but need financial assistance for your studies? Then the Funza Lushaka Bursary programme is worth exploring!
In this comprehensive guide, I detail everything you need to know about the Funza Lushaka bursary for 2024. Read on to learn about this prestigious teaching bursary, eligibility and priority areas, step-by-step application instructions, required documents, additional tips and more to improve your chances of success!
ALSO SEE:
Bursary For Teaching 2024/2025
Bursaries for Education 2024/2025
ITHUBA Bursary 2024 Online Application
About Funza Lushaka
Firstly, what is the Funza Lushaka bursary programme about?
Funza Lushaka is an important government-funded initiative to promote teaching as a career of choice for talented youth. The programme provides comprehensive bursaries towards teaching qualifications, with the goal to enhance quality education across South African public schools over the long term.
Funza Lushaka literally means “teaching and learning” in isiXhosa. Managed by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), the programme evolved out of the former National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Teacher Education Bursary scheme.
The DBE allocates dedicated higher education funding yearly with the aim to expand Funza Lushaka’s reach and impact. So far over 175,000 Funza Lushaka bursaries have been awarded to enable financially constrained yet academically talented youth to qualify as teachers!
Bursary Overview
In a nutshell, the Funza Lushaka bursary programme offers the following:
- Comprehensive bursaries towards teaching qualifications
- Priority for key focus areas like Foundation Phase specialization and scarce skills
- Ongoing bursary support throughout your teaching degree
- Excellent employment prospects within public schools post-qualification
This makes it an extremely attractive funding option for prospective teachers!
Which Areas Of Study Are Supported?
The Funza Lushaka Bursary prioritizes the following teaching-related areas of study:
- Foundation Phase: Grade R to Grade 3 specialization, with preference for Indigenous language specialization
- Intermediate Phase: Grade 4 to Grade 6
- Senior Phase: Grade 7 to Grade 9
- Languages: English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sesotho, Sepedi, Setswana, Tshivenda, Xitsonga, Siswati
- Mathematics and Mathematics Literacy
- Natural Sciences and Technology
- FET Phase: Grade 10 to Grade 12
- Languages: English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu
- Mathematics and Mathematics Literacy
- Physical Sciences and Life Sciences
- Business, commerce and management sciences
- Engineering and technology
- Computer sciences/Information technology
Priority areas also include scarce skills like:
- Braille
- South African Sign Language (SASL)
- Inclusive Education/Special Needs Education
- Curriculum and Professional Teacher Development
So if you are studying towards a teaching qualification in any of the above areas, you should apply!
What Does The Bursary Cover?
The Funza Lushaka Bursary comprehensively funds all essential academic expenses including:
- Tuition and registration fees
- Accommodation and meals
- Book allowance
- Travel/teaching practice costs
- Laptop + printer
- Monthly allowance
This allows you to focus fully on your teaching degree without financial burden.
Bursary recipients also enjoy guaranteed employment post-qualification! You are required to teach at a public school, rural school or schools that serve poor communities for the same number of years that you received the bursary funding.
Furthermore, those completing foundation or priority phase programmes get placement assistance in public schools requiring these skills. So this bursary opens up extensive career prospects.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for the Funza Lushaka bursary 2024, you must:
Be a South African citizen
- Hold a valid South African ID
Be 30 years old or younger
- Must be max age 30 in year of application
Have completed Matric
- With minimum achievement of:
- 60% for English OR
- 50% for English + another teaching subject
- Overall minimum aggregate of 70% across all subjects
Be registered or accepted to study teaching degree as listed
- At a reputable South African university
Have not studied beyond first year or one semester
- First time applicants:
- No prior study beyond Grade 12
- Currently studying:
- Not beyond first year of current teaching qualification
Not employed full-time or studying part-time
So carefully assess if you meet all the eligibility criteria for the Funza Lushaka bursary before proceeding with your application.
Step-By-Step Application Process
Follow these step-by-step instructions to apply:
Step 1: Online Application
- Go to e-Services portal: https://uniforumtz.com/
- Select “Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme”
- Register with your ID and personal details
- Complete all online application sections
Step 2: Upload Documents
- Certified ID copy
- Matric certificate
- Latest university results
- University acceptance letter
- Proof of parents’ income
- Motivation letter
Step 3: Submit
- By deadline (TBC for 2024 programme)
Submit a complete application with all supporting documents to give yourself the best shot!
How to Apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary 2024 – Step-by-Step Guide
What Is The Closing Date?
The closing date for Funza Lushaka bursary applications is typically around June-July annually.
However, the precise 2024 closing date is still to be confirmed. Track the DBE, Funza Lushaka websites and social media platforms for updates on 2024 application dates.
As soon as applications open, be sure to apply early and not delay!
Additional Tips For Applying
Keep these handy application tips in mind:
- Choose priority teaching areas like Foundation Phase and scarce skills where possible
- Showcase your excellent academic capabilities in your motivation letter
- Discuss any tutoring, mentoring or coaching experience
- Highlight why you are passionate about a teaching career
- Apply as early as possible once applications open!
The Selection Process
The Funza Lushaka selection and award process involves:
- Evaluating all applications received
- Assessing eligibility criteria
- Sifting most promising candidates
- Interviewing shortlisted candidates
- Considering academic excellence + area of study
- Finalizing worthy bursary recipients
So make the best impression possible if called for an interview to maximize your chances!
Contact Funza Lushaka
For any queries, please contact Funza Lushaka directly via:
📧 Email: [email protected]
📞 Call Centre: 0860 596 116
🌐 Website: www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za
I hope this guide gives you all the details you need to submit an exceptional bursary application. All the best securing this prestigious teaching bursary programme for your studies while making an incredible nation-building impact over your career!
Conclusion
In closing, the Funza Lushaka Bursary programme enables talented, financially constrained youth to access quality teaching qualifications while guaranteeing employment to make a lasting difference across South Africa’s basic education landscape.
Using the comprehensive information provided in this article, assess your eligibility and submit an outstanding Funza Lushaka bursary application for 2024 if you have a passion for teaching and STEM subjects in particular. I wish you all the best in taking this meaningful first step towards an inspiring career that unlocks youth potential!
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Funza Lushaka bursary:
How many years must I teach?
You must teach for the same number of years that you received the bursary. E.g. if you received it for 4 years, your service contract is 4 years of teaching.
Which universities qualify?
You must attend an accredited South African university like UJ, Wits, UP, UKZN etc.
Can I hold another bursary?
Unfortunately you cannot hold another bursary or have any other funding if awarded Funza Lushaka.
Can final year SP/FET students apply?
No, the bursary only covers qualifications from first year up to Honours degree level.
What is the minimum aggregate required?
You need a minimum overall aggregate of 70% for your Matric results.
I hope this provides further insight about this life-changing teaching bursary opportunity!