‘Eleventh-hour’ uni entry rules spark SUN backlash

The Students Union of Namibia (SUN) wants new standardised university admission requirements delayed, warning the changes could unfairly penalise students who have already applied under the current criteria.

The requirements, set out in a recent education ministry circular, introduce the Namibia Higher Education Evaluation Point Scale for all institutions from the 2027 academic year, calculating admission points from a learner's best five subjects, with English compulsory.

The ministry said the new system is intended to promote consistency, fairness and transparency in admissions, while aligning Namibia’s higher education sector with international standards.

SUN board chairperson Benhard Kavau said the union supports improving the quality of higher education. However, he said the union strongly rejects "the notion that simply raising admission points or imposing uniform entry requirements will, by itself, improve the quality of education".

The union has called for the implementation to be delayed until there has been meaningful consultation involving students, parents, higher education institutions, educators, the Namibia Qualifications Authority, the National Council for Higher Education and civil society.

SUN is particularly concerned about the timing of the reforms, saying universities have already opened applications, and prospective students have made decisions based on the previous requirements. “Changing the rules at the eleventh hour is unfair to students and their families,” Kavau said.

Unequal playing field

SUN also warned that higher admission thresholds could disproportionately affect learners from disadvantaged communities who may lack access to well-resourced schools, private tutoring, technology and other educational advantages. “Raising admission thresholds without first addressing inequality risks turning higher education into a privilege reserved for the elite,” the union said.

It argued that challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, inadequate infrastructure, poor connectivity, and unequal access to learning resources should be addressed first. SUN has also questioned why institutions allegedly admitting students at lower thresholds are allowed to operate if their admission practices undermine academic standards.

The union called for transparent and consistently applied accreditation and quality-assurance standards across both public and private institutions.

It is demanding a transition period if the new requirements are ultimately adopted and warned that it could pursue “every lawful avenue” available, including seeking the intervention of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, if its concerns are not addressed.

Neither NUST nor Unam responded at the time of this publication.