funds
30 January 2009
Hundreds of school leavers are set to benefit from the newly launched
Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) bursary fund. Speaking at the launch of the
bursary fund in Newtown yesterday, Gauteng Premier Paul Mashatile said the
establishment of the fund was in line with government's aim to develop
employable, entrepreneurial and smart people.
âWe believe that the fund will strengthen our offensive on poverty,
unemployment and social exclusion; by providing learners from disadvantaged
communities with an opportunity to access quality education. This will allow
them to play a significant role in the economic mainstream,â said
Mashatile.
Operating under the slogan âharnessing talent for a better Gauteng,â GCRA
will this year allocate bursaries to 1500 school leavers. Out of the R45
million, R6 million will be allocated to learners who will be pursuing their
studies in Further Education and Training Colleges (FET) and R39 million will
then be allocated to learners who will be going to Higher Education and
Training Institution (HET).
Learners going into the FET colleges will be awarded a maximum amount of R5
000.00 to cover for tuition and books. Learners going into HET will be awarded
a maximum amount of R35 000.00 per learner. The bursary will cover tuition,
books and accommodation.
Learners whose fields of study require specific additional study aids will
have to apply and each case will be treated on merit. Mashatile urged learners
gathered in the make shift tent to grab the opportunity with both hands and
work hard.
âWe hope that you will take this opportunity provided to you by the Gauteng
Provincial Government with both hands, that you will make a success of this
opportunity for your benefit and for the benefit of our province,â said
Mashatile.
It is envisaged that upon completion of their studies, learners will be
provided with internship opportunities in government to acquire work
experience. Welcoming the partnership with the private sector, Mashatile
announced at the end of his speech that GCRA and African Romance (Diamond
Design Company) have set aside R1.5 million to train students interested in
diamond cutting and polishing.
âWe will continue to look up to our partners, especially the private sector,
to work together with us to expand the reach of the Fund, to benefit even more
learners,â said Mashatile.
The Premier was accompanied by Gauteng Education MEC Angie Motshekga, who
called on learners to become ambassadors in their communities and encourage
others to follow in their footsteps.
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
30 January 2009
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http//www.gautengonline.gov.za)
w<EOD)
