THE KwaZulu-Natal department of education has called on the community to be alert and avoid falling victim to a bursary scam.
The warning comes after reports that some people, masquerading as officials from the department, were robbing people under the pretext that they had obtained bursaries from the department.
The tricksters were reportedly luring desperate people to pay them R2500 to have their applications approved and processed.
The scam has allegedly hit many parts of the province where poor children are desperately in need of help to further their education.
Spokesperson for department Mbali Thusi distanced the department from the alleged bursaries scam.
She said they were aware that some people claiming to be department officials were telling people that they had obtained bursaries from the department.
"The department offers bursaries for a BEd degree specialising in maths, science, technology and accounting. The advert is placed once every year in the media and the department database, district offices and the website of the department from which application forms are obtainable," she said
Thusi said their selection criterion did not require any payments. She said only applicants who had passed mathematics, science, technology and accounting in Grade 12 and tertiary level were considered.
"We only need South African citizens between the ages of 18 and 35, studying full-time at a recognised residential KwaZulu-Natal university and excellent record of academic performance at school or tertiary institution. Applicants must not be benefiting from any other bursary scheme," she said.
Bursary scam exposed as department warns public
THE KwaZulu-Natal department of education has called on the community to be alert and avoid falling victim to a bursary scam.
The warning comes after reports that some people, masquerading as officials from the department, were robbing people under the pretext that they had obtained bursaries from the department.
The tricksters were reportedly luring desperate people to pay them R2500 to have their applications approved and processed.
The scam has allegedly hit many parts of the province where poor children are desperately in need of help to further their education.
Spokesperson for department Mbali Thusi distanced the department from the alleged bursaries scam.
She said they were aware that some people claiming to be department officials were telling people that they had obtained bursaries from the department.
"The department offers bursaries for a BEd degree specialising in maths, science, technology and accounting. The advert is placed once every year in the media and the department database, district offices and the website of the department from which application forms are obtainable," she said
Thusi said their selection criterion did not require any payments. She said only applicants who had passed mathematics, science, technology and accounting in Grade 12 and tertiary level were considered.
"We only need South African citizens between the ages of 18 and 35, studying full-time at a recognised residential KwaZulu-Natal university and excellent record of academic performance at school or tertiary institution. Applicants must not be benefiting from any other bursary scheme," she said.