Bushbuckridge - Matriculants from Bushbuckridge in Mpumalanga are encouraged to apply for bursaries from the national Department of Public Works for the 2010 academic year.
The bursaries are available through the Bushbuckridge local municipality.
"This bursary scheme is for students from poor family backgrounds who live within the jurisdiction of the municipality," said municipal spokesperson Matome Malatjie.
Bursaries are available for study in a variety of fields including civil, electrical, mechanical and mining engineering, information technology and computer science, tourism management, chartered accounting, auditing and town planning.
"With the bursary scheme, we want to fight the high rate of youth illiteracy and unemployment as was pointed out by research in our municipal areas. We want to contribute towards education and address the skills shortage within our society," said Malatjie.
Application forms are obtainable from the municipality's headquarters in Bushbuckridge as well as its regional offices.
All applications must be accompanied by the matriculant's mid-year exam results or final results for 2009, a salary notice or affidavit from the parent, or the pension receipt of a parent or guardian.
It should also include a certified copy of the student's ID or birth certificate as well as a letter of reference from his or her school principal.
The closing date for applications is 6 January next year.
