How To Apply for Funza Lushaka 2023-2024

Good news once again for teachers in South Africa once again and the Funza Lushaka Bursary is opened for the year 2023 and you can’t be left out this time around.

What Is Funza Lushaka Bursary?

As we all know that this Teaching Bursary was introduced by the South African Government to promote teaching as a profession. Those who receive the teaching bursary will be required to teach at government for the same number of years they have received the bursary.

What Are The Requirements For Funza Lushaka Bursary?

There are a few outlined requirements an applicant must meet before can be eligible to apply for the Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary.

All first time applicants must be 30 years or younger to apply for Funza Lushaka Bursary.

Two types of qualifications can be funded are:

Undergraduate studies or a 4-year Bachelor of Education degree (B Ed), specializing in Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3), Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 6), Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9) and FET Phase (Grade 10-12); and

Graduate studies or One-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). Combined qualifications are also acceptable such as combine specialization in the Foundation Phase (Grade R – 3) and Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 – 6), or the Intermediate Phase and Senior Phase, or the Senior Phase (Grade 7 – 9) and FET Phase (Grade 10 –12).

The priority areas are:

Foundation Phase (i.e. Grades R-3) – Foundation Phase (with preference for African Languages)

Intermediate and Senior Phase (i.e. Grades 4-9) – Preference will be given for a teaching major in TWO of the following:

Languages
Mathematics
Natural Science & Technology

FET phase (i.e. Grades 10-12) – Preference will be given for a teaching major in TWO of the following:

Accounting
Agricultural Sciences
Agricultural Technology
Civil Technology
Computer Applications Technology
Economics
Electrical Technology
Engineering Graphics and Design
Geography
Information Technology
Life Sciences
Mathematics
Mechanical Technology
Physical Sciences, Languages, Technical Mathematics and Technical Science

Bursary Requirements and Eligibility

General Eligibility:

South African citizen
Good academic performance
Graduates who want to complete a teaching degree or want to become teachers (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) and have already been accepted at an accredited public University.
Applicants who want to make a career change and become teachers, show dedication and passion for a professional career in teaching, display interest in working with young people, are ready to face and handle difficult challenges and have personal integrity.
Higher Education Institution employees, their spouse and their dependents/children are not eligible.
Two of the priority area subjects must be included as a specialisation in the teaching qualification.

For 1st time entrants to university:

Proof of admission to bachelor degree studies pass at matric/Grade 12 level.

Minimum level 4 rating at matric level in the subject which the applicant will specialize to teach.
A pass in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at Grade 12 level and a minimum level 4 pass in the Home Language, for students who intend to specialize in the Foundation Phase
Average of at least 50% for students who have completed matric prior to 2008 when Mathematics was not compulsory
At least level 4 pass in Mathematics, for students who wish to specialize in the teaching of Technology subjects, including CAT, and who do not have these subjects at matric level

For new applicants already at university:

Passed all of the modules studied in the last/most recent year of study at the Higher Education Institution
Minimum 55% average across all the modules studied in the last/most recent year of study at a Higher Education Institution
Minimum 55% average in modules studied relevant to the priority area teaching specialization in the last/most recent year of study at university

For new applicants enrolling for PGCE:

Successful completion of a recognized qualification to be admitted for a PGCE
Must have majored in Psychology and an African Language for a PGCE in Foundation Phase Teaching
Must have at least TWO recognized priority subjects at second year level
Must have adequate modules in the recognized priority subjects.