The Initial Teacher Education Directorate is responsible for the recruitment of youth to study teaching as a career of choice. The youth targeted are those below age 30, who have obtained a National Senior Certificate (NSC) qualification with a bachelor’s pass or who meet the requirements for entry to a university to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in education. During the recruitment process, the Directorate works with provinces, districts, circuits, schools and community leaders responsible for youth programmes. The demand and supply of teachers is determined by the need on the ground, based on retirement patterns and strategic direction of the education sector, such as the introduction of the Three Stream Model or the PIRLS Report. Priority subjects are determined by provinces, based on the need of teachers in specific phases and subject specialisations. The Director-General approves the national priority subjects that will be used for recruitment of youth to study towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Education to become teachers.

Recruited and identified youths are assisted to complete screening forms, after which the province sets the date for selections. Parallel to this process, the youth are requested to apply at a university of their choice for admission. The Funza Lushaka Information System (FLIMS) opens on 1 October annually for those who qualify to apply for funding to study at a Higher Education Institution (HEI). The youth recruited by the districts are then directed to apply for a Funza Lushaka Bursary (FLB) online. Applications opened on 1 October 2023 and will close on 2 February 2024. Visit FLB online: https://www.eservices.gov.za and http://funzalushaka.doe.gov.za/. District officials also assist with applications.

The DBE, together with Provincial Education Departments (PEDs) and the HEIs co-ordinate selection meetings for the selection of suitable candidates. During the selections, suitable qualified candidates for the bursary who meet the bursary requirements and the admission requirements of the HEIs, are placed in the list of those who will be awarded a bursary. Once the selections are completed, the DBE directs the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to pay the HEIs for all the awarded students fees which include tuition fees; accommodation; meals; stationery and textbooks; and / or allowances. The student will then sign an agreement with NSFAS, stating the conditions of work in the district where she / he was recruited.

Newly Qualified Teachers can register on the Learning Management System (LMS): https://learning.vvob.org.za/guides-for-new-teacher-induction/ for the New Teacher Induction Programme that is accredited and endorsed by SACE to earn CPTD points. This is to ensure that transition into the new role as a teacher is supported and resourced.