The Durban University of Technology (DUT) recently hosted a selection workshop for the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (KZNDOE) of prospective teachers who will be funded through the Funza Lushaka District Based Bursaries for 2022 at DUT’s Indumiso Campus Civil Engineering Boardroom in Pietermaritzburg.
The event was attended by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), Department of Education (DOE), three Higher Education Institutions namely: University of Zululand, DUT and University of Kwazulu-Natal, 12 Kwazulu-Natal District officials and DUT Financial Aid officials.
Senior Financial Aid Counsellor, Mr Keshan Govender welcomed everyone who attended the workshop.
Pictured: The National Department of Basic Education Deputy Director, Mr Ben Lubisi who facilitated the programme.
The National Department of Basic Education Deputy Director, Mr Ben Lubisi facilitated the programme and extended his gratitude to everyone for attending all previous meetings that were prior to the selection workshop. He highlighted the purpose of the workshop, general criteria for awarding of the bursaries and outlined the selection process.
“We need to transform our way of doing things and have online or automated students results before the selection workshop. The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) has already developed the automated system but we are still waiting for them to load all the South African matriculants results so we can start using the system,” said Lubisi.
The Chief Education Specialist at the KZNDOE Teacher Development Directorate, Mr Goodman Ndlovu outlined the 2022 Funza Lushaka District Based Provincial Key Priority Areas for both Senior and Further Education and Training (FET) which included Mathematics, Technical Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Technical Sciences, Information Technology, Engineering Graphic and Design, Life Sciences, Braille, South African Sign Language and Neurodevelopment Needs.
“For students to be selected we need to check if learners had applied at Higher Education Institutions (HEI) or via the Central Application Office (CAO), check if the applicants applied for the key priority areas, check if applicants meet the HEI’s admission criteria and whether they have attached and submitted all the required documents which include the motivational letter, Identity Document Copy, Grade 11/12 results, screening forms, South African Police Service (SAPS) affidavit and proof of admission to a university,” explained Ndlovu.
When Mr Ndlovu and Mr Lubisi’s presentations concluded, the selection process took place and all the attendees were given a chance to submit their documents, eligible or qualifying candidates which includes post and current matriculants, pending final results for the current year applicants were provisionally selected. DOE officials took the source documents for capturing and will thereafter send a list per HEI.
“The KZN Provincial Department of Education plays a key role in ensuring that the educational institutions in this province work together on strategic teachers education issues like Funza Lushaka, supporting deserving high school students who would otherwise have been excluded because of their financial backgrounds to access universities and become teachers in these highly scarce subjects that have been identified as a priority in the province,” said DUT School of Education HOD, Dr Cynthia Mthiyane.
In closing, Dr Mthiyane thanked the Department of Education, DUT team from Durban and Midlands Financial Aid Office, the Midlands Campus Director’s Office for convening the workshop, all the attendees and DUT Civil Engineering Acting HOD: Dr Jacob Ikotun.
Pictured: Stakeholders from DUT, UKZN, University of Zululand, DBE, DOE and Kwazulu-Natal District officials who attended the workshop.
Pictured: The National Department of Basic Education Deputy Director, Mr Ben Lubisi who facilitated the programme.
Zanele Mashaba
