Free tertiary education talks kick off

Government has officially launched consultations to pave the way for fully subsidised tertiary education by the start of the 2026 academic year. On Thursday, a newly appointed ministerial task force held its first meeting with stakeholders from public universities, funding institutions, and quality assurance bodies.Officials have described this as a significant step in implementing the Universal Access to Education Policy, which has already delivered free primary and secondary education and now seeks to extend this commitment to higher learning. However, the move comes despite persistent criticism that the current free education model has merely shifted financial burdens to parents.Billions already allocated to tertiary institutionsAccording to the 2025 national budget, the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) received nearly N$2.7 billion, while the University of Namibia (Unam) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) were allocated N$1.4 billion and N$576 million, respectively.President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, during her April State of the Nation address, announced that from the 2026 academic year, government will fully subsidise tertiary education - eliminating registration and tuition fees at all public universities and technical training centres.Subsidy to be phased inShe described this as a “gradual, phased-in approach” and clarified that students and their families would remain responsible for accommodation, meals, transport, and study materials, at least initially. “We have heard your cries – the fees have fallen,” she said.Task force appointedLast week, education minister Sanet Steenkamp confirmed the formal appointment of the national task force, led by the ministry’s executive director Gerard Vries. “The terms of reference have been drawn up, and the first meeting of the task force will be held on 19 June. The team includes all public institutions as well as two representatives from the ministry of finance,” she told Namibian Sun.Discussions between NSFAF and the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) are already underway, with two potential funding models being reviewed - one of which involves direct government subsidies to public institutions.Steenkamp also announced that NSFAF will be fully reintegrated into the ministry of education by October 2025, with the aim of improving accountability and reducing administrative costs.“Free education is not new”During Thursday’s closed-door meeting, deputy executive director Dino Ballotti said the policy shift was built on years of public demand and earlier education reforms. “The journey toward this moment did not begin today. The call for free education has long been championed by the Namibian people,” he said.“Over the years, we have taken critical steps, starting with the removal of school fees in basic education. Now, in 2025, the moment has come for us to extend this transformative policy to our public tertiary institutions.”Caution on planning and implementationBallotti warned that the realisation of free tertiary education is not simply a matter of adopting policy - it demands robust planning, fiscal discipline, and strong collaboration among stakeholders.“This task force is not here merely to endorse an idea,” he stressed. “It is here to shape a sustainable rollout, possibly by funding certain priority courses at 100% as part of a phased approach.”He also underscored the importance of ensuring that students attending private institutions are not excluded from support. “Very importantly, the funding should follow the student - not the private institution,” he added.Clarification from NSFAFCommenting on the policy’s implications, NSFAF’s Percy Tjahere emphasised the need for clarity on what “free education” will actually cover. “Government, through Her Excellency, proclaimed that by 2026 there will be free higher education,” he said. “But remember, it applies only to public institutions and only covers registration and tuition fees.”Tjahere explained that while NSFAF’s role in student funding remains intact under the current legal framework, greater oversight will shift to the ministry. He added that several key matters - such as whether students at private institutions will receive funding, how administrative costs will be handled, and who will cover non-tuition expenses like accommodation - remain unresolved.Universities respondUnam spokesperson Simon Namesho said the university supports the government’s intent but called for clarity on the funding model. “Tuition fees have historically been funded through student loans, bursaries, or paid privately,” Namesho noted. “The specifics of how free education will be implemented - policy clarity, funding structure, and coverage beyond tuition - are still under discussion.”He said maintaining quality, ensuring accountability, and managing increased enrolment will be central challenges in the transition. “Unam is committed to transparency and will follow established procedures in managing public funds,” he added.Nust, which also sits on the task force, echoed this view. “We hope to meaningfully contribute to a sustainable and equitable model for free higher education. We are confident the outcomes will provide clarity and direction,” said Nust spokesperson Cindy van Wyk.Cabinet report expected in AugustBalotti confirmed that the task force has until the end of August to present a comprehensive report to Cabinet. Until then, the consultations have set in motion what could become Namibia’s most ambitious education reform since independence.

Free tertiary education talks kick off

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-05-19

Please login to leave a comment

Free tertiary education talks kick off

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-05-19

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content