Knowledge can change lives. Asking questions and continuing to learn are essential to education. Teachers help others develop this knowledge and use it in their lives.
They touch lives and shape futures by spreading wisdom. Yet, some people shy away from becoming teachers. The reason is often that it costs quite a lot of money to study at university and earn the right to go into a classroom and spread the light of knowledge. Often people with a love for children, a ton of patience, and a keen interest in education would come along, but their dreams of becoming teachers came to an abrupt end because of a lack of funds.
The decline of student numbers for introductory education courses was cause for concern for the South African education authorities. They realized they had to do something and came up with bursaries to help students become teachers with the money. They learned a full-cost bursary for the right candidate had become a necessity.
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme covers essential study expenses, which may include tuition, accommodation and meals, books, learning materials and a living allowance. Awards are capped and costs differ by institution; a fixed R600 monthly allowance is not guaranteed. Repayment may be required:
- if the recipient does not qualify or
- fails to make an application with a provincial education department for a teaching position at a public school or
- does not complete any of the bursary agreement requirements or
- leaves a post before the end of the service period.
This Bursary Programme is aimed at promoting teaching as a profession and strives to equip the right people for teaching in public schools. The Department of Basic Education heads it, and the funds come from the National Treasury. It is administered by the Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). It enables eligible candidates to complete a full teaching qualification in an area of national priority.
This bursary’s creation had the desired effect, and interest in initial teacher education programmes at universities increased. Recently the focus has changed from solving the problem of not enough students being interested in studying to become teachers to meeting another challenge. Students still did not enrol in numbers for the subjects and school phases in which the need was the greatest.
Recipients of these bursaries will have to teach at a public school for a timespan equal to that for which they received the bursary. Recipients of the bursary are assigned to a school and cannot choose where they want to teach. Only applicants who are accepted into either a BEd or PGCE qualification at a university will be considered.
Funza Lushaka General criteria
To be successful in the application, the candidate must meet specific criteria. These include:
- The applicant must be a South African citizen, 30 years old or younger, with a valid ID and no criminal record.
- Applicants charged with misconduct or anyone who have been dismissed from work do not qualify.
- No Higher Education Institution employee or immediate family members will be accepted.
- The applicant must be academically competent and have a desire to work with young people.
- Candidates must be committed to teaching in the school to which they are appointed by a Provincial Education Department.
- Apply online. No hard copies will be accepted.
- Candidates must print the online application once it is completed.
- No-one with any other teaching qualification will qualify.
- Candidates who will have an edge in the process of selecting bursary recipients are those from rural areas or who wish to teach in rural areas, as well as candidates who would otherwise be excluded from obtaining a teaching qualification because they do not have the necessary funds.
Funza Lushaka Candidate Requirements:
Three groups of students may apply
- Learners in Grade 12;
- Graduates who have as their aim to complete a postgraduate education qualification.
- People who have a desire to become teachers.
Priority subjects depend on the teaching phase and the current selection policy. The programme gives preference to specified teaching majors; two priority subjects are not a universal requirement for every phase. Ask the university’s Faculty of Education to check your programme against the current priority areas.
Funza Lushaka Application Date
Applications for the 2027 Funza Lushaka bursary opened on 1 October 2026. Deadlines differ for new applicants and returning bursars.
2027 bursary closing dates: 31 January 2027 for new applications
& 30 November 2026 for existing/returning bursars
How to apply for The Funza Lushaka Bursary:
- Go to www.eservices.gov.zaRegister by filling in the necessary personal information.
- When you log in, use your password and user name that you chose when you registered,
- Select Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme
- You should have received an OTP. Enter it.
- The Terms and Conditions will be listed. Accept them.
- Click on the Application-option.
- Follow the instructions on the screen and complete the required fields.
- Accept the declaration.
Also Read: How To Apply For Teaching Assistant Jobs
How to track your Funza Lushaka application status
1. click here to go to the Funza Lushaka Website
2. Open the e-Gov application portal and provide the username and password you created when registering.
3. Click the Login button
4. Check your status
