Support Teacher Empowerment Trust (STET)

About Support Teacher Empowerment Trust (STET)

The Support Teacher Empowerment Trust, known as STET, is a South African non-profit organisation based in Johannesburg. It was established in 2017. Its mission is to empower Black South African women through education, technology and mentorship. A strong focus is on training confident teachers in subjects where schools struggle to find skilled staff.

The Trust says education can open doors for women and, in turn, for the communities they serve. It also wants to narrow the digital divide in under-resourced schools. Many of those schools lack teachers who are comfortable with coding, robotics, ICT, mathematics and science. STET therefore tries to prepare women who can fill that gap.

How STET supports students

The STET bursary programme funds study for Black South African women who are heading into teaching. According to the Trust, the programme is open to several groups. These include women currently studying to become teachers, unemployed women who want to begin a teaching qualification, and women who already hold a diploma. Serving teachers who wish to upgrade their qualifications may also apply.

Money is only part of the offer. STET describes its model as a holistic teacher-development programme. Alongside the bursary, recipients can expect mentorship, leadership development and digital skills training. They also learn modern classroom methods. The idea is to produce teachers who are ready for the technology-driven classroom, not only holders of a certificate.

The Trust also runs other projects, such as a coding and robotics academy, mathematics support and ICT training for teachers. Its website reports that thousands of learners and educators have been reached, although applicants should treat such figures as the organisation's own claims. Because STET is a small non-profit, the number of bursaries depends on donor funding each year.

What to know before applying

Only Black South African women qualify. You should also show that you are studying, or plan to study, towards a teaching qualification. Prepare certified copies of your ID, your latest academic results, proof of registration or acceptance and a short motivation. The Trust may ask for proof of financial need as well. Details change, so check the official STET website for the current requirements and the application window.

No formal, binding work-back period has been confirmed in public information. The programme clearly aims to produce classroom teachers, and you should expect that to be the career path. However, do not assume a specific service period. Read any agreement closely before you sign, and ask the Trust directly if a term is unclear.