The Department of Basic Education (DBE) allocated more than R1.26 billion to higher education institutions as part of the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme in 2023. Despite this significant investment, the number of Funza Lushaka graduates being placed in South African classrooms is on the decline.
The R1.26 billion allocated by the DBE saw 9,386 new bursaries awarded. However, the number of bursary graduates being absorbed into State-paid teaching positions has been steadily declining.
As of the end of August 2024, there were 15 435 of 24 459 (63%) Funza Lushaka bursary scheme graduates that had completed their studies between 2018 and 2023 appointed in public education in State-paid posts.
This leaves 9,024 graduates still unabsorbed. While some may be employed in School Governing Body (SGB)-paid posts or independent schools, many are believed to be unemployed or working outside of the teaching profession.
The absorption rate of Funza Lushaka graduates also declined from 83% in 2019 to just 17% in 2024.
The DBE attributes this decline to budget constraints within provincial education departments, curriculum needs, subject-specific demand, and the recruitment processes at schools, which often involve recommendations from SGBs.
In addition to Funza Lushaka graduates, the DBE’s National Recruitment Data (NRD) shows that there are currently 23,353 qualified teachers registered as unemployed. As of September 2024, only 49% (11,485) of these applicants had been appointed to State-paid posts, leaving over 11,868 educators without permanent employment.
While some may be working in non-State roles, the cumulative shortfall of unabsorbed teachers has reached 37,000.
The DBE said it was alarming that educators are securing public education positions long after graduation which reflects a widening gap between newly qualified teachers and those landing permanent roles early in their careers.
Although the absorption gap has been closing, over time, the supply of graduates has always been above the absorption in State-paid posts growing gap between the total number absorbed and the number absorbed that are 30 years and below may be an indication that a significant number of educators join the system long after they graduated.
Another crucial aspect of the Funza Lushaka bursary is that it encourages students to specialise in critical areas of specialisation where there are not enough teachers.
However, National Treasury budget cuts led the DBE to cut the amount of Funza Lushaka bursaries it will award to students by approximately 2,000 bursaries. This could lead to a decline in the number of teachers specially trained to fill the needs of classrooms.
Funza Lushaka Programme
The bursary programme encourages teaching as a profession to young people by offering comprehensive bursaries to individuals pursuing teaching qualifications. The funding provided by Funza covers Bachelor of Education (BEd) and Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) courses at all 26 public universities in South Africa.
