Only Half of Funza Lushaka Teacher Graduates Have Been Placed in Schools: What It Means for You

Quick facts

• Programme: Funza Lushaka Bursary (government-funded teacher bursary)
• Run by: Department of Basic Education (DBE), with NSFAS paying out the funds through universities
• Who places graduates: The provincial education department
• Latest placement figure: 922 of 1 858 graduates placed (49.62%)
• 2027 bursary applications: Open from 1 October 2026; new applicants close 31 January 2027, returning bursars close 30 November 2026
• Age limit for first-time applicants: Younger than 30

Why everyone is searching for this

Teacher graduate placement is trending because new reports show that only about half of government-funded teacher graduates have been placed in schools. Many young teachers finished their studies on a Funza Lushaka bursary and are still waiting at home for a post.

The figures come from the Department of Basic Education's report to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Basic Education. Of the 1 858 Funza Lushaka graduates sent to provincial education departments, only 922 had been placed. That leaves 936 graduates without a teaching post.

How many graduates each province placed

These are the numbers placed per province in the department's report:

• KwaZulu-Natal: 184
• Western Cape: 144
• Gauteng: 129
• Limpopo: 108
• North West: 96
• Eastern Cape: 92
• Free State: 87
• Mpumalanga: 61
• Northern Cape: 21

What "graduate placement" actually means

Funza Lushaka pays the full cost of a teaching degree in a priority subject. That includes tuition, accommodation, meals and learning materials. In return, you agree to teach at a public school for the same number of years you were funded. Four years of bursary means four years of teaching.

When you qualify, you complete your placement information online. The provincial education department then tries to place you in a suitable post. If your home province has no suitable post, you can be placed in another province.

Two rules surprise many graduates:

• You cannot choose your school.
• You cannot postpone your placement once you are offered a post.

Why so many graduates are still waiting

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube told Parliament that placement is not automatic. "There needs to be a vacancy that is funded and then people apply and then they get into that work," she said. She named the fiscal envelope, meaning provincial budgets, as the main obstacle.

In a written reply to Parliament, the department also said placement depends on:

• how many funded posts provinces actually have
• how fast provinces run their recruitment processes
• whether your subjects match the vacancies in that district

So a Foundation Phase or Maths graduate may be placed faster than someone whose subject combination is less in demand in that province.

What to do if you have not been placed yet

Waiting does not mean doing nothing. Graduates who are placed quickly usually do these things:

• Keep your placement information up to date on the Funza Lushaka portal, especially your phone number, email and the provinces you are willing to work in.
• Be willing to work outside your home town. Rural and hard-to-staff schools often have funded posts that city schools do not.
• Register with SACE (South African Council for Educators). Schools cannot appoint you without it.
• Apply for advertised posts yourself. Provinces publish educator vacancies in circulars, and you can compete for them like any other teacher.
• Contact your provincial Funza Lushaka coordinator at the provincial education department and ask where your placement stands.
• Look at related work while you wait, such as education assistant posts, tutoring, ECD centres, private schools or government vacancies that use your skills.

Thinking of applying for the 2027 bursary?

The placement problem does not mean you should not apply. It means you should choose your subjects carefully. Priority areas include Mathematics, Physical Sciences, technical subjects and Foundation Phase teaching, especially in African languages.

To qualify as a first-time applicant you must:

• be a South African citizen younger than 30
• be accepted into an approved B.Ed programme (or qualifying PGCE route)
• specialise in priority subjects
• have a strong academic record
• have no criminal record, including the sexual offences and child protection registers

Key dates: applications opened on 1 October 2026. New applicants have until 31 January 2027, and returning bursars must reapply by 30 November 2026. Apply only on the official Funza Lushaka portal.

Beware of scams

Nobody can sell you a Funza Lushaka bursary or a teaching post. Applying and placement are free. Ignore anyone on WhatsApp or Facebook who asks for money to "speed up" your placement or guarantee a school.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Funza Lushaka bursary guarantee me a teaching job?

No. The minister has said there is no automatic placement. You are placed only where a funded vacancy exists.

What happens if I am not placed?

You are not in breach of your contract if the department has no post for you. Keep your details updated, apply for advertised posts, and stay in touch with your provincial coordinator.

Can I choose which school I teach at?

No. The provincial department decides where you are placed, and the post can be in another province.

Can I say no to a placement?

Placement cannot be postponed. Turning down a post can mean you have to pay the bursary back, so read your contract carefully.

When do 2027 applications close?

New applications close on 31 January 2027. Returning bursars must reapply by 30 November 2026.

Find work while you wait

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