Windhoek: The Namibia National Students' Organisation (Nanso) has expressed concerns regarding the government's new funding model for tertiary education, which offers fully subsidised tuition and registration fees for eligible undergraduate students. Despite welcoming this initiative, the organisation cautioned that some elements of the model might impede access for a significant number of learners.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Nanso spokesperson Jessy Abraham highlighted the reduction of the income threshold for non-tuition support from N.dollars 500,000 to N.dollars 100,000 as a major issue. This adjustment means that many students from families earning above N.dollars 100,000 annually will not qualify for assistance. Abraham noted that a considerable portion of working-class and middle-income families will be left out under the new criteria.
"Students cannot survive on free tuition alone. A significant number of learners will enrol for free but will not be able to afford accommodation, meals, and transport. The new threshold creates a contradiction - education is free, but many students will not have the means to remain in school," Abraham stated.
He further pointed out that the current annual non-tuition support of N.dollars 17,000 is inadequate in the existing economic environment. Nanso has previously recommended an increase to N.dollars 24,000 and insists that non-tuition funding should be provided as grants rather than loans, in light of Namibia's 44.4 per cent youth unemployment rate. "Students should not graduate with debt accumulated from basic necessities such as food and housing. Debt-free graduation must become the standard," he added.
Nanso also raised issues concerning the long-term viability of the subsidised model, emphasizing that the ministry's announcement lacks a legislated funding mechanism for the future. "We must ask what will happen to this policy five, 10, or 20 years from now. Annual budget allocations are vulnerable to economic shocks and shifting political priorities," Abraham remarked.
He mentioned that Nanso has suggested an education levy derived from natural resource revenues and a one per cent corporate education contribution, which would contribute to a protected National Higher Education Access Fund. While acknowledging the positive step of eliminating tuition fees, Abraham asserted that Nanso will persist in advocating for a funding model that is entirely equitable and sustainable.