Private higher education institutions and student organisations have rejected the newly passed changes to the students’ fund law, citing a lack of consultation and concerns over the fund’s integration into the higher education ministry.
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) amendment law, once enacted, would see its integration into the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation.
The amendment, passed last week, would see the NSFAF board reconstituted as a selection and advisory board under the higher education ministry.
The Association of Private Higher Education Institutions, in an advertising editorial published yesterday, said it was not included in consultations on the bill.
Minister of higher education, technology and innovation Itah Kandjii-Murangi in her motivation in the National Assembly last week said the amendment was drafted with the input of stakeholders during consultative meetings with the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, the Office of the Prime Minister, tertiary institutions’ student leaders, student associations’ leadership, and other stakeholders.
“The current bill being pushed through the parliament in great haste does not give all stakeholders the chance to give their views and inputs before the NSFAF is swallowed up,” the association said.
It accused Kandjii-Murangi of misleading the National Assembly and the National Council.
“We believe adequate consultation on the future of NSFAF is important because of the excellent work the NSFAF has done in the past and continues to do, despite some hiccups which can easily be corrected,” the association said.
The minister has not responded to a request for further clarification by the time of going to print.
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