Preferred Subjects For The Funza Lushaka Bursary
The Funza Lushaka Bursary programme is critical in ensuring that financially disadvantaged tertiary students can pursue a career in education. However, in order to qualify for the programme, the education department has had to clarify how preferred subjects are determined.
Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education, provided a breakdown of the criteria used to determine the preferred subjects that applicants must have to qualify for the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme during a recent virtual parliamentary session.
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a government-funded initiative that promotes teaching as a career. The programme provides financial assistance to first-time applicants aged 30 and under. However, concerns have been raised about the choice of preferred subjects and whether they differ across provinces.
Minister Motshekga explained that the Department of Basic Education uses a variety of methods to identify priority subject areas for Funza Lushaka Bursary funding allocation. These subject areas are chosen based on the need for teachers to be replaced in the appropriate phase and subject specialisation.
Additionally, consideration is given to newly introduced subjects, which currently number around 26, and require a supply of new teachers. Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) submit priority subject lists to the Department of Basic Education, which are signed off on by the Heads of Department. The submissions are then consolidated by the department to create a national list of priority subjects.
Motshekga confirmed that the preferred subjects for the Funza Lushaka Programme are determined at the provincial level. This approach ensures that the bursary programme is tailored to each province’s unique needs and demands.
The DBE then annually distributes the priority subject list to Higher Education Institutions, the South African Council for Educators (SACE), the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and other stakeholders. This list is intended to be a resource for those looking for information on the preferred subjects for the 2023 academic year.
She emphasised the department’s commitment to transparency, which she demonstrated by providing a composite list of subjects to anyone who needed it. This list enables prospective applicants and educational institutions to make educated choices about the subjects covered by the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme.
The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme continues to play an important role in attracting aspiring teachers and providing them with the resources they need to succeed academically.