1. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) values the commitment of public service employees to broadening their knowledge and developing their skills.

2. For this reason, the WCED assists employees financially to further their studies and invites public service employees who wish to undertake part-time studies in 2016 to apply for a bursary.

3. Bursaries will be granted to applicants only if they are:

  • South African citizens;
  • permanent WCED employees appointed in terms of the Public Service Act, 1994 (Act 103 of 1994);
  • meeting the admission requirements of the educational institution concerned;
  • committed to undertaking part-time studies during 2016
  • studying towards an under graduate qualification; and
  • not in receipt of another state bursary or any other bursary.
4. All applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

  • the appropriateness of the intended field of study in relation to the WCED's current and future strategic needs;
  • the relevant directorate's need for specific or scarce skills;
  • employment equity (race, gender, disabilities);
  • rural versus urban areas;
  • relevance to the specific job description;
  • developmental relevance;
  • salary levels;
  • availability of funds;
  • first or second post-graduate qualification versus undergraduate qualification; and
  • the supervisor's recommendation, which must be attached to the application.
5. Applications for the following study fields, in which there is a scarcity of qualified staff and/or a constant Departmental need, will receive preference:

No Qualification type Study field
1. Degree or Diploma Financial Management, Financial Management Systems, Accounting, Auditing
2. Degree or Diploma Human Resource Management
3. Degree or Diploma Public Management

6. All applications must be submitted by the closing date - Friday, 18 September 2015 to Directorate: Strategic People Management for the attention of L Ndzongo / NP Funani at Room 9, 8th Floor Golden Acre Building, Cape Town, 8001 or posted to Private Bag X9114, Cape Town, 8000.

7. Each bursary application must consist of the following documents:

  • A completed Application for Study Bursary form (available online).
  • A written estimate of study costs (registration, tuition and other study-related expenses) for the 2016 academic year. This information is obtainable from tertiary institutions.
  • The supervisor's recommendation on the application form.
8. No late, incomplete, faxed or illegible applications will be considered.

9. The Bursary Committee will consider all applications, and then make recommendations for the awarding of bursaries. Bursary allocations will not exceed, but will not necessarily cover, the full registration and tuition fees. The number of applications received and the funds available will determine the number of bursaries awarded.

10. Each successful applicant will be expected to enter into a formal agreement with the WCED to render a year of service for each year the bursary is awarded and to comply with other stipulations outlined in the agreement.

11. Please do not hesitate to contact the persons named in the letterhead of this minute should you require any further information about the bursary scheme.

12. Kindly ensure that all public service staff in your component are aware of the contents of this minute.


SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2015:08:12

Public Service Act, 1994 (Act 103 of 1994)  (size: 183 KB)
Annexure A: Supervisor's recommendation  (size: 24 KB)
Application for public service bursary 2016  (size: 79 KB)