NWU receives R7,2 million for education bursaries

The Department of Education has allocated R7,2 million to the North-West University as part of its Fundza Lushaka Bursary Programme for Teachers.

This will enable 180 students to study at the NWU, to the tune of about R40 000 per student.

The Department of Education has allocated R120 million countrywide for the Fundza Lushaka programme in 2007/2008, and a total of R700 million for the programme for the three-year period 2007/2008 – 2009/2010. The bursaries are designed to meet the national need for high-calibre teachers in priority areas.

The selection of recipients will be undertaken by the NWU, in consultation with the provincial Department of Education. The relevant programmes are: BEd, the Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and BA/BSc/BCom/BTech degrees in subjects suitable for admission to a PGCE programme.

A Fundza Lushaka bursary covers the registration fee, tuition fee, book allowance, travel allowance, residence fee or other approved accommodation, and meal costs. Upon qualification, students will be expected to teach in public schools in terms of a service contract that will form part of the bursary agreement.

The bursaries will be administered by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NFSAS).