What is Funza Lushaka?
Funza Lushaka is a government initiative in South Africa aimed at addressing the shortage of qualified teachers in the country. The program provides financial assistance to students who are pursuing a career in teaching. In return, these students commit to teaching at public schools for a certain period of time after completing their studies.
How Does Funza Lushaka Work?
Students who are enrolled in a teaching degree at a recognized institution can apply for the Funza Lushaka bursary. The bursary covers the cost of tuition, accommodation, and a small allowance for living expenses. In exchange, bursary recipients must agree to work at a public school for a period equal to the number of years they received the bursary.
How Much Does Funza Lushaka Pay per Student?
The amount of money that Funza Lushaka pays per student varies depending on the level of study and the institution. Typically, bursary recipients receive funding for tuition fees, accommodation, and a small monthly stipend for living expenses. The stipend is meant to cover basic necessities such as food, transportation, and study materials.
For example, students pursuing a Bachelor of Education degree may receive up to R15,000 per year to cover tuition fees. In addition, they may receive a monthly stipend of R3,000 to R5,000 to cover living expenses. The exact amount of the stipend depends on factors such as the cost of living in the area where the student is studying and the student’s financial need.
Benefits of the Funza Lushaka Bursary
One of the main benefits of the Funza Lushaka bursary is that it allows students to pursue a career in teaching without having to worry about the financial burden of paying for their education. This enables more students to become teachers and help address the shortage of qualified educators in the country.
Furthermore, the bursary program provides students with valuable work experience by requiring them to teach at public schools after completing their studies. This practical experience can help students develop the skills they need to become effective educators.
Conclusion
The Funza Lushaka bursary program provides financial assistance to students who are pursuing a career in teaching. The amount of money that Funza Lushaka pays per student varies depending on the level of study and the institution. In addition to covering tuition fees, the bursary also includes a monthly stipend for living expenses. Overall, the program aims to increase the number of qualified teachers in South Africa and improve the quality of education in public schools.
