Students’ organisation lauds minister over non-tuition fees

A students’ organisation has commended the higher education ministry for allocating the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) N$2,6 billion towards the non-tuition fees of all qualifying students, including those who were previously excluded.

Non-tuition fees include administrative fees for services provided by tertiary institutions other than tuition.

The National African Students Association (Nasa) says this is a 50% increase from 2023’s N$1,6 billion.

“The association welcomes the decision announced by minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi that as of 2024 NSFAF will provide non-tuition fees to all students, including those previously excluded, such as those from vocational training centres, Triumphant College, Welwitschia and other approved higher education institutions . . .

“It has been our uncompromised position since 2019 that it was unconstitutional and inconsistent with the NSFAF Act 26 of 2000 to provide non-tuition fees to students from a few selected universities . . ,” says Paulus Vihemba from Nasa.

He says the organisation, however, opposes the unequal distribution of non-tuition fees to students as announced by the minister, involving that students from the University of Namibia, the Namibia University of Science and Technology, and the International University of Management receive N$17 000, and students from other approved institutions only N$10 000 per student.

“We will continue monitoring the payment and will give a way forward on the situation, and whether the assurance made by NSFAF is not fulfilled,” Vihemba says.