The public education system is overpopulated with students, yet lacking in teachers, with there being a shortage of educators to accommodate the amount of students that South Africa produces.
To be able to operate as a qualified educator, one would typically require a 4-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) undergraduate degree or alternatively, a three/four year Bachelor’s degree, with a one-year Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
To support the efforts to fund the studies of potential educators, there are a number of bursary resources that have been made available for the prospective teacher.
The following are a few that have been active in 2021 and will continue to be active in 2022:
- Arup Education Trust Bursary- This bursary aims specifically to aid students who have been previously disadvantaged in one or other way, supporting many women in their studies, with about half of their beneficiaries being women.
- Canon Collins Sol Plaatje Scholarship Programme- The scholarship is awarded to high achieving students who would like to pursue social justice, with the inclusion of creating reform in the education sector.
- CIDA Empowerment Trust- The bursary aims “to create a positive effect on poor communities”. They award bursaries for 4-year BEd degrees and 2-year Postgraduate certificates.
- NSFAS funds qualification at all public Universities and TVET Colleges. This means that should be you be enrolled in a Bachelor of Education course, they would fund you. They unfortunately do not fund PGCE courses. Click here to learn more about the NSFAS bursary.
- The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme is a multi-year programme that promotes teaching in public schools. The bursaries are provided so that eligible students may complete a teaching qualification in an area recognised as priority. Click here to read more about the Funza Lushaka Bursary.
Apart from the above-mentioned bursaries, there are many more bursaries that serve the similar purpose of supporting students who want to enter the education sphere.
