The National Assembly (NA) has passed an amendment to the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund Act, integrating the fund under the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation.
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) board will be renamed to the Selection and Advisory Board to advise the minister.
The fund will now be subject to the policy direction of the ministry.
The number of members of the board will be expanded from five to a maximum of nine, and board members may not be a member of parliament or any regional or local authority council, or have been convicted of any offence involving dishonesty.
Further, the amendments will significantly expand the definition of ‘higher education’ from qualifications higher than Grade 12 to programmes higher than the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate at advanced subsidiary level or higher level, as well as vocational training and education.
It will clarify the method through which institutions can apply to the minister to be approved.
The amendment act will come into operation on a date determined by the minster and announced in the Government Gazette.
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