1. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) wishes to announce the availability of 66 extraordinary district-based Funza Lushaka Bursaries for the 2018 academic year to Grade 12 learners who intend studying towards a formal teaching qualification.

2. The national Department of Basic Education’s (DBE’s) Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme provides high-achieving learners with a full-cost bursary that covers tuition fees, accommodation with meals, a textbook allowance, notes and laboratory fees (where applicable), and a monthly stipend to cover basic living expenses.

3. The Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme is a multi-year programme that was launched in 2007 to promote teaching in public schools as the career of choice for able and committed South Africans. The programme is run locally at the University of the Western Cape, the University of Stellenbosch and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

4. In 2012 the DBE introduced a district-based recruitment programme targeting learners from poor communities (learners at no-fee schools or who are exempted from school fees) to help them access the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme. Sixty-six extraordinary bursaries will only be awarded to students who are willing to teach at schools in rural areas, taking into account the needs of rural education districts.

5. The awarding of a Funza Lushaka Bursary is subject to the following conditions:

  1. The programme will fund students who wish to specialise in the Foundation Phase (Grades 1 to 3) or who intend to study for a BEd FET degree, specialising in Economics, Accounting, Mathematics, Science and/or technical subjects.
  2. The bursary is awarded for one academic year at a time and, upon proof of academic success, may be renewed each year until the recipient of the bursary has qualified as an educator.
  3. The bursary holder will be required to reapply by the end of October each year for the following year.
  4. On completion of the course of study, the bursary holder will be required to teach at a school in a rural area for a period of one year for every year for which they have received a bursary.
  5. A copy of the applicant's 2016 Grade 11 results must be submitted with the initial application.
6. Furthermore, prospective applicants must apply for admission and must meet the admission requirements of the various Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) named in paragraph 3 above. The bursaries will be recommended on merit by the selection committee at the WCED Head Office in Cape Town, to the DBE based on the following minimum academic criteria:

  1. An "admission to Bachelor's degree studies" pass at Grade 12 level.
  2. Pass Home Language with 40% or more, First Additional Language with 30% or more and the other four subjects with 50%.
  3. Students who wish to specialise in the Foundation Phase must achieve a pass in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy at Grade 12 level.
  4. Students who wish to specialise in the teaching of technical subjects must achieve a pass in Mathematics/Technical Mathematics and Physical Sciences/Technical Sciences.
7. Recommendations

  1. An "admission to Bachelor's degree studies" pass at Grade 12 level.
  2. At least a Level 4 pass, or at least a 60% pass in Home Language or a 50% pass at matric level in the subject that leads on to the priority area/subject in which the applicant will specialise in the BEd course.
8. The closing date for applications is 31 July 2017. Applicants must apply by completing the attached application form and sending it to the officials mentioned.

The following officials at WCED Head Office can be contacted for any enquiries regarding this matter:
9. Kindly bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all Grade 12 learners.


SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2017:06:24

Expression of interest for district based FL Bursary: 2018  (size: 75 KB)