Free tertiary education covers tuition, registration fees only – president
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has underlined that Namibia is not a welfare state but remains a caring nation, highlighting that government’s free tertiary education covers only tuition and registration fees and does not constitute a universal free education policy.
Speaking at the 'Youth in Conversation with the President – The People’s Parliament' event at the Ondangwa Trade Fair Hall on Saturday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said government remains focused on ensuring that no Namibian child is denied access to education because of financial hardship.
“We know our social status in this country. Some are [lower] down in the ladder of our economy. Such people and their children will not be denied access to further education," the president assured.
"It is going to be very strict that we are helping those who need to be helped. This is not a welfare state but a caring state,” she added to loud applause.
The president also explained only full-time students will be funded.
During her maiden State of the Nation Address in March, the president said while government already subsidises tertiary education, she was pleased to confirm that, from the next academic year in 2026, tertiary education would be 100% subsidised by the state.
She explained that this covers all registration and tuition fees at public universities and technical and vocational education centres.
The president emphasised that the support will be targeted and means-tested, rather than a blanket subsidy for all students.
Call to support NDP6
On Saturday, the president also urged young people to take an active role in shaping national policy and development priorities, saying their participation is vital because “the future belongs to them”.
She challenged the youth to align their contributions with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), the country’s medium-term blueprint for industrialisation, job creation, digital transformation, agriculture, skills development and social progress.
“Where is your space? Where do you think you can fit in these priorities?" the president asked the audience.
"If you say you fit in agriculture, what do you want to do? What do you want to do in creative industries, and if you think you can fit in sport, how do you fit there? That is what I now want from you, young people of Namibia,” she said.
Democratic future
The engagement, organised by the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL), provided a platform for young Namibians to share their views and concerns directly with the president.
Chairperson of leaders assigned to the Oshana region, Erastus Uutoni, presented the party’s candidates to the president while warning that opposition parties are increasingly targeting northern towns such as Ondangwa, urging Swapo leaders to strengthen mobilisation efforts.
The programme concluded with presentations by SPYL leaders and a question-and-answer session, reinforcing the message that youth engagement is central to Namibia’s democratic and socio-economic transformation.
Speaking at the 'Youth in Conversation with the President – The People’s Parliament' event at the Ondangwa Trade Fair Hall on Saturday, Nandi-Ndaitwah said government remains focused on ensuring that no Namibian child is denied access to education because of financial hardship.
“We know our social status in this country. Some are [lower] down in the ladder of our economy. Such people and their children will not be denied access to further education," the president assured.
"It is going to be very strict that we are helping those who need to be helped. This is not a welfare state but a caring state,” she added to loud applause.
The president also explained only full-time students will be funded.
During her maiden State of the Nation Address in March, the president said while government already subsidises tertiary education, she was pleased to confirm that, from the next academic year in 2026, tertiary education would be 100% subsidised by the state.
She explained that this covers all registration and tuition fees at public universities and technical and vocational education centres.
The president emphasised that the support will be targeted and means-tested, rather than a blanket subsidy for all students.
Call to support NDP6
On Saturday, the president also urged young people to take an active role in shaping national policy and development priorities, saying their participation is vital because “the future belongs to them”.
She challenged the youth to align their contributions with Namibia’s Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), the country’s medium-term blueprint for industrialisation, job creation, digital transformation, agriculture, skills development and social progress.
“Where is your space? Where do you think you can fit in these priorities?" the president asked the audience.
"If you say you fit in agriculture, what do you want to do? What do you want to do in creative industries, and if you think you can fit in sport, how do you fit there? That is what I now want from you, young people of Namibia,” she said.
Democratic future
The engagement, organised by the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL), provided a platform for young Namibians to share their views and concerns directly with the president.
Chairperson of leaders assigned to the Oshana region, Erastus Uutoni, presented the party’s candidates to the president while warning that opposition parties are increasingly targeting northern towns such as Ondangwa, urging Swapo leaders to strengthen mobilisation efforts.
The programme concluded with presentations by SPYL leaders and a question-and-answer session, reinforcing the message that youth engagement is central to Namibia’s democratic and socio-economic transformation.
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