Namcol awarded 525 scholarships last year
The Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol) awarded 525 scholarships for the 2024 academic year, representing less than 2% of its nearly 30 000-strong student body.
The scholarships, aimed at promoting access for vulnerable and marginalised learners, included 508 for secondary education (SE) students and 17 for tertiary programme (TP) students.
According to Namcol’s annual report, the scholarships were provided by a range of institutions.
“Fourteen TP students received scholarships from Nacol, three TP and 103 SE students from the Khomas Regional Council, 62 SE students from the north-eastern region via the National Disability Council (NDC), and 343 SE students from the Social Security Commission,” the report states.
The college highlighted these initiatives as part of its efforts to support disadvantaged learners. However, overall student numbers grew slightly from 29 734 in 2023 to 29 917 in 2024, with the scholarship programme reaching only a small proportion of learners.
Namcol emphasised in its report that it “endeavours to develop and put structures and systems in place to ensure equitable access to quality educational services” and seeks to “create a conducive, flexible environment and effective student support to enhance the teaching and learning experience.”
Reaching everyone
Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti highlighted that the scholarships intersect with broader government efforts to improve education while speaking during the 24th tertiary programme graduation at Namcol last month.
Ballotti praised the college’s role in extending learning opportunities beyond traditional classrooms. “This institution has extended education into kitchens, cattle posts, informal settlements and villages. It has restored confidence and offered second chances to young and old alike,” he said, noting plans for Namcol’s transformation into an open university, a national priority supported by the ministry.
He further stressed the importance of financial accessibility, announcing that “as of 2026, tuition and registration fees at all public universities and TVET institutions will be fully subsidised. This means that financial barriers will no longer prevent our young people from pursuing their dreams.” The deputy minister noted government’s increased budget for youth, sport and the creative industries, which will fund internships, apprenticeships and multipurpose centres.
The scholarships, aimed at promoting access for vulnerable and marginalised learners, included 508 for secondary education (SE) students and 17 for tertiary programme (TP) students.
According to Namcol’s annual report, the scholarships were provided by a range of institutions.
“Fourteen TP students received scholarships from Nacol, three TP and 103 SE students from the Khomas Regional Council, 62 SE students from the north-eastern region via the National Disability Council (NDC), and 343 SE students from the Social Security Commission,” the report states.
The college highlighted these initiatives as part of its efforts to support disadvantaged learners. However, overall student numbers grew slightly from 29 734 in 2023 to 29 917 in 2024, with the scholarship programme reaching only a small proportion of learners.
Namcol emphasised in its report that it “endeavours to develop and put structures and systems in place to ensure equitable access to quality educational services” and seeks to “create a conducive, flexible environment and effective student support to enhance the teaching and learning experience.”
Reaching everyone
Deputy minister of education Dino Ballotti highlighted that the scholarships intersect with broader government efforts to improve education while speaking during the 24th tertiary programme graduation at Namcol last month.
Ballotti praised the college’s role in extending learning opportunities beyond traditional classrooms. “This institution has extended education into kitchens, cattle posts, informal settlements and villages. It has restored confidence and offered second chances to young and old alike,” he said, noting plans for Namcol’s transformation into an open university, a national priority supported by the ministry.
He further stressed the importance of financial accessibility, announcing that “as of 2026, tuition and registration fees at all public universities and TVET institutions will be fully subsidised. This means that financial barriers will no longer prevent our young people from pursuing their dreams.” The deputy minister noted government’s increased budget for youth, sport and the creative industries, which will fund internships, apprenticeships and multipurpose centres.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article