A brand new bursary has been announced for South African Students. It is one of the most contemporary bursaries offered by the Department of Basic Education as the name of the Funza Lushaka Bursary South Africa for the academic session 2027. Likewise, the programme seeks multitalented and outstanding students who are eager to pursue studies towards a teaching qualification.
Besides that, the Department of Basic Education aims to build a robust, sustainable education system in South Africa. Also, it deals with schools throughout the country, usually from Grade R to 12 and adult literacy programmes. The DBE was previously part of the National Department of Education, which was later split into two: the DBE (Department of Basic Education) and the DHE (Department of Higher Education).
Available Degree
What fields of study does the BVI Bursary cover?
- 4-year Bachelorโs Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education (B. Ed. ECCE): This program is exclusively for studentsโranging from the ‘ECD Grade RR-R’ level to the ‘third year’โat the University of Pretoria, an institution associated with this project.
- 4-year Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree, with specialization in one of the following subjects:
- Foundation Phase (Grade R โ 3)
- Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 โ 6)
- Senior and Higher Education and Training Instruction (Grades 7โ12)
The following will NOT be funded:
- Financial support will not be provided for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
- The ‘Funza Lushaka Bursary’ does not provide financial support for the following subjects: History, Geography, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, EMS, Life Orientation, and Physical Education. (These subjects are included in the Department of Basic Education’s list of areas with a surplus of unemployed graduates, meaning the supply of qualified personnel in these fields exceeds the demand in the labor market.)
- The ‘Funza Lushaka Bursary‘ will primarily provide financial support for South Africa’s indigenous languages โโand Afrikaans. This support will apply to specific provinces (Western Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, and Eastern Cape). Additionally, a small portion will be allocated for future teachers of the English subject.
- The Funza Lushaka Bursary will not provide financial support for subjects in schools that are less frequently chosen by studentsโnamely Religious Studies, Music, Dance, and Art.
- Financial support will not be provided for the combination of two languagesโthis creates difficulties for schools when developing timetables (since a teacher can only teach one language subject and one other subject).
What does the Funza Lushaka Bursary cover?
The Funza Lushaka Bursary programme furnishes a wide range of benefits that encompass:
- Tuition fees, Accommodation, Meals, books, and learning materials.
- Teaching practice expenses, where possible.
- Bursaries are awarded for one academic year at a time.
- A small monthly living allowance, depending on tuition costs.
- Students must reapply for funding each year.
What are the eligibility criteria for the Funza Lushaka Bursary in South Africa?
If you’re really interested in obtaining this bursary must meet the following criteria to be eligible.
- Applicants must be a South African citizen and have a strong academic record.
- For first-year or first-time applicants, applicants must be 30 years of age or younger as of March 31, 2027.
- Applicants must be enrolled in an approved B.Ed. degree program covering the Intermediate, Senior, and FET phases; you must have specialised in two or more of the priority subject areas outlined in the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme Implementation Framework.
- You must be interested in working with young people; enthusiastic about building a professional career in the teaching profession; and prepared to face difficult challenges and overcome them with integrity.
- You must not have already obtained a teaching qualification (this financial support/bursary does not cover extended academic programs such as a Higher Certificate in Education, Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Honours degree, Masterโs degree, or PhD).
- There must be no criminal record or offence registered against you โ all applicants must check the following records:
- South African Police Service (SAPS) (any police station) โ apply for a ‘Police Clearance Record’ (PCR); this is similar to a fingerprint report.
- Department of Justice and Correctional Services (DOJCS) โ to confirm that you are not on the ‘National Sex Offender Registry’ (NSRO)
- Department of Social Development (DSD) โ to check whether or not you are included in their ‘National Register for Child Offenders’.
- (Note: If the criminal record or offence is more than 10 years old, you may submit an application to the DOJCS for expungement; however, if it is less than 10 years old, your application will not be accepted.)
- If you are applying for the first time under the district-based admission process, you must fill out a ‘Teacher Screening Form‘. This digital form will help in reviewing and considering your application before you apply for a scholarship. (This provision does not apply to students who are already enrolled at the university.)
- You must have been admitted to study at a public university in South Africa.
- You must be prepared to teach at any school selected by the Provincial Education Department (PED).
- Before applying, you must read the information regarding the ‘Funza Lushaka Bursary‘.
- Students enrolling at the university for the first time (excluding students who have already completed another degree or those who have received financial support from government funds such as NSFAS):
- You must have passed the matric examination (with exemption, support, or eligibility for admission to a bachelor’s degree program).
- You must have achieved at least a Level 4 (50%) grade in the two specific subjects you have chosen to teach at the Matric level.
- Students wishing to specialise in the Foundation Phase (BEd FP) must have achieved at least Level 3 (40%) in Mathematics or at least Level 4 (50%) in Mathematical Literacy at the matric (final level of school education) stage; additionally, they must have attained at least Level 4 (50%) in their home language.
- Students wishing to specialise in the ‘Intermediate Phase’ (BEd IP) must have passed the Matric level with at least Level 3 (40%) in Mathematics, or at least Level 5 (60%) in ‘Mathematical Literacy‘; additionally, they must have passed with at least Level 4 (50%) in their Home Language.
- Students specialising in the Intermediate Phase (BEd IP) must specialise in two of the following: Indigenous South African language subjects, or Natural Sciences and Technology (provided you have completed Mathematics at the matriculation level).
- Students specialising in the Intermediate Phase (BEd IP): If you have completed Language, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences, you must have specialised in an Indigenous South African Language subject, Natural Sciences, and Technology. You must have achieved a Level 4 pass in Mathematical Literacy and a Level 5 pass (60%) in Mathematics at the Matric level.
- Students wishing to specialise in the Senior/FET phase must have passed the ‘Matric’ examination (with endorsement) or completed Grade 12 with eligibility for undergraduate studies; additionally, they must have achieved at least ‘Level 4′ (50%) in two preferred subject areas.
- Students specialising in the teaching of technical subjectsโincluding Computer Application Technology (CAT)โat the Senior/FET phase must have passed Mathematics or Technical Mathematics in their matric with a minimum level of 4.
- Note: If the entry requirements of the tertiary institution are higher than the bursary requirementsโor vice versaโthe higher requirement will apply.
- For students pursuing a Bachelorโs degree in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) at the University of Pretoria: You must have obtained a Matric National Senior Certificate (NSC) or a National Certificate (Vocational) at Level 4, with an endorsement for admission to Bachelorโs degree studies, along with an Admission Point Score (APS) of 28 or an overall average of 55% across all subjects. Additionally, you must have achieved at least Level 4 (50%) in your Home Language (specifically South African indigenous languages) and at least Level 3 (40%) in Mathematics, or Level 4 (50%) in Mathematical Literacy.
Students currently studying at the university (in their second, third, or fourth year) who are receiving a scholarship:
- In the year before applying for the bursary (financial assistance), you must have passed all modules studied at a higher education institution that relate to the ‘Funza Lushaka’ priority subject areas.
- You must have achieved a minimum pass average of 55% across all modules studied during the previous year of study at a higher education institution.
- You must have achieved an average grade of at least 66.5% in the modules studied during the previous year of universityโspecifically in those modules directly related to the subject area you have chosen for your teaching specialisation.
How to Apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027?
Applicants should apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary Application 2027 online via the official webpage. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for the application:
- Open the e-Government Portal website.
- Create an accountย by filling in the required details.
- Now, tick the boxes to agree to the e-Gov portal’s terms and conditions and privacy policy.
- Log in using your chosen username and password.
- Select โFunza Lushaka Bursary Schemeโ from the e-Services menu.
- Follow the additional instructions and click the โ2026 applicationโ button on the dashboard.
- At the end, read and accept the declaration to confirm your information.
What is the last date to apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027?
The closing date to apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary 2027 in South Africa is:
- 30 November 2026 (Current ‘Funza Lushaka’ bursary recipients who are re-applying).
- 31 January 2027 (New applicants who have never applied for the ‘Funza Lushaka’ bursary before).
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