Ministry tells institutions to let NSFAF students sit exams

No student should miss examinations because of delayed NSFAF payments, the Ministry of Education has urged institutions of higher learning.

In a letter dated 28 October, the ministry called on all public and private institutions to allow students awaiting payments from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to sit their examinations, regardless of their year of study.

The directive follows reports that some institutions are blocking students’ academic accounts and denying them access to examinations because of outstanding tuition fees linked to delayed NSFAF disbursements.

Institutions have also been instructed not to withhold academic services solely because of unpaid fees attributable to pending NSFAF payments. They must work directly with NSFAF to verify students’ funding status and reconcile outstanding accounts.

The ministry said students should not be academically disadvantaged by administrative delays beyond their control. It urged institutions to implement the directive as a matter of urgency ahead of the examinations.