2027 ECDoE Unemployed Bursary

• Must be a South African citizen residing in the Eastern Cape
• Must be an unemployed youth between 18 and 35 (the bursary for youth with disabilities is for ages 18 to 45)
• Must have applied for studies at a registered public higher education institution
• Must study full time at a recognised public institution
• Must have achieved a Bachelor Pass in Grade 12
• Fields of study must be aligned to disciplines classified as scarce and critical skills within the ECDoE
• Applications must be aligned to the type of bursary advertised and meet its objectives
• Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the university

How applicants are selected

• A duly completed application form, as per the ECDoE checklist
• Demographic spread (race, gender, age, and persons living with disabilities)
• Academic achievement
• Geographic location (a district aligned award model)
• First time beneficiaries of a state funded bursary or scheme will be prioritised

Teaching bursaries

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), full time

For unemployed graduates whose qualifications have a minimum of 2 teaching subjects, in the FET Phase:

• Mathematics (Pure Maths)
• Life Sciences
• Physical Sciences
• Geography
• Technical Subjects

Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree, full time

• BEd Foundation Phase, for unemployed youth aged 18 to 35
• BEd Languages (IsiXhosa, Sesotho, and Afrikaans), for unemployed youth aged 18 to 35

Phases and subjects of priority interest

Foundation Phase (Grades R to 3): teachers who can teach in both a language of learning and content: IsiXhosa, Sesotho, English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Braille, SASL, Neurodevelopmental Needs, and Remedial Teaching. Additions: Foundation Phase, Early Childhood Care and Education, Numeracy, Literacy, and Coding and Robotics.

Intermediate Phase (Grades 4 to 6): IsiXhosa, Sesotho, English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Technology, Braille, SASL, Neurodevelopmental Needs, and Remedial Teaching. Additions: Social Science (History and Geography) and Creative Arts.

Senior and FET Phase (Grades 7 to 12): IsiXhosa, Sesotho, English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Sciences, Natural Sciences, Technology, Electrical Engineering, Technical Mathematics, Technical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Technology, Computer Applications Technology, Electrical Technology, Engineering Graphic and Design Technology, Mechanical Technology, Civil Technology, Information Technology, Nautical Sciences, Maritime Economics, Maritime Studies and Maritime Science, Coding and Robotics, Braille, SASL, Neurodevelopmental Needs, and Remedial Teaching. Additions: Accounting, Business Studies, Economics, Geography, History, Tourism, Consumer Studies, Visual Arts, Dramatic Arts, Agricultural Management and Practices, and Digital Technology.

Military Veteran Dependants’ Bursary

• Must be registered or accepted at any public higher education institution
• Must be a dependant of a military veteran
• All selection process terms and conditions apply
• The bursary pays up to a maximum of R100 000, depending on the institution. It covers registration, tuition, residence, meals, and books.

Bursary for unemployed youth living with disabilities

This is for unemployed youth with disabilities who are former learners of ECDoE special schools. It aims to create equal access to the skills programmes the Department offers.

• Must be between 18 and 45
• Must be a former learner of an ECDoE special school
• The programmes targeted are: Handyman Program (tiling and plastering, bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, and painting), Assistant Chef Programme, Hair Dressing, Art (music, ceramic designs, and fine arts), Dress making, Beadmaking, Boiler making, Auto body and painting, and Holistic Massage and Beauty
• The bursary covers registration, tuition, residence, meals, and books. If you are selected for a skills programme, the Department provides tuition, venues, and catering for successful applicants.

What the bursary covers

• Registration and tuition fees
• Accommodation and meals
• Stationery costs
• Books (military veteran dependants and youth with disabilities)

Payment is made directly to the institution, not to the bursary holder. The Department will not pay any fees that are outstanding from the previous year.

Conditions

• The bursary is awarded on merit, and renewal is based on progressing to the next level
• Bursary recipients who do not complete the specified course, do not take up a position allocated to them, or do not fulfil the bursary obligation must repay all the money paid on their behalf, with interest
• Successful applicants sign a bursary contract or agreement
• Continuing students must submit their November or December exam results to the Department on or before 13 January of the following year

Required documents

For all applicants:

• Application letter
• Bursary application form (Parts A, B, C, and D), completed in block letters in your own handwriting
• Certified copy of your South African ID
• Certified copy of your matric or equivalent certificate
• Any other qualification relevant to your application (certified copy)
• Proof of acceptance or admission from a recognised public institution where you intend to study
• Names and details of two contactable references who are not relatives (on the form)
• The form signed by you and by your parent or guardian

Also required for the Military Veteran Dependants’ Bursary:

• Proof of dependency on a military veteran

Also required for the bursary for youth with disabilities:

• Testimonial from your former school
• Certified copies of your certificates
• Proof of disability: a medical certificate, or a medical report and functional assessment report