Race against time to design free varsity education by 2026

Following government’s declaration that tertiary education will be fully subsidised from the 2026 academic year, education minister Sanet Steenkamp says there is just one year to develop new funding models by revisiting existing frameworks and policies. Key focus areas will include cost-sharing, equity, and equality.Speaking to this reporter on Saturday, Steenkamp said full costing and planning will only be finalised after extensive consultations with public universities, TVET colleges, and technical and vocational institutions."Her Excellency [President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah] made it very clear that this will be a phased-in approach. We must determine the market basis for enrolment: the average enrolment figures, average tuition costs across different programmes, and the projected intake in priority fields. Based on these, we will engage further with Cabinet," she said."We have a full year ahead. We must plan meticulously and determine how best to implement the phased-in approach, depending, of course, on the availability of the allocated budget."Steenkamp added that under the Swapo Party manifesto implementation plan, government must also develop a funding model for private colleges — a new area now demanding attention. “Although the funding model for private institutions still needs to be explored, provision for it has already been made in the manifesto,” she noted.Support from institutionsMeanwhile, the acting director of the department of corporate engagement and internationalisation at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), Nashilongo Gervasius, welcomed the government's move.“As an institution deeply embedded in the development of skills, innovation, and research, we welcome this policy direction and the transformative possibilities it holds for the education sector and the nation. It has profound implications for human capital development, workforce readiness, and national progress,” Gervasius said.“We stand ready to engage further as more details emerge and reaffirm our commitment to working collaboratively with government, industry stakeholders, and the broader academic community,” he added.NSFAF reintegration on trackRegarding the reintegration of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) into the education ministry, Steenkamp said the government is working closely with the NSFAF board — whose term ends in August — to ensure full integration by October 2025."There is a reintegration roadmap in place. We now meet every Wednesday to work on restructuring issues, including packages and compensation. We foresee completing the integration by October 2025,” she said.When asked about potential impacts on education quality, Steenkamp stressed that the government is committed to excellence. "We have the technical know-how and established systems. Retaining most, if not all, NSFAF staff would be ideal. We are also coordinating closely with the Ministry of Finance to address funding availability efficiently to ensure no one is disadvantaged," she said.Steenkamp reiterated that the process would involve continuous consultations, not only with public universities and TVET colleges, but also with private institutions as the new funding model takes shape.Concerns over student exploitationNamibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) president Dorthea Nangolo warned that regulatory bodies like the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) must play a stronger role to prevent the exploitation of students."Private institutions should not be allowed to exploit students amid rising demand. There is a real risk that, if students are unable to secure placements at public institutions, private colleges might monopolise the gap and inflate fees," she cautioned."We urge the NCHE to put strong regulatory mechanisms in place and strengthen its efforts to maintain the quality of higher education — a statutory obligation," Nangolo said.She further emphasised the need for institutions to align programmes with labour market needs. "We cannot afford to produce unemployed graduates. For instance, if the University of Namibia plans to admit law students, it should consider that, in four years, the market might only require about 207 new lawyers. These realities must guide admissions planning," she said.

Race against time to design free varsity education by 2026

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-20

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Race against time to design free varsity education by 2026

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-20

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