Namibian students in Zambia banned from classes over unpaid tuition

Government-funded Namibian medical students in Zambia say they have been forced out of classes and left under growing stress as delays in tuition payments continue to disrupt their studies.

Speaking to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity yesterday, students said the situation has now stretched into its second week, with the universities instructing them to stay away from lectures until outstanding fees are settled.

“We arrived here last year in July, but up to now our tuition has not been paid,” students said. “The university told us that although our government says payment is being processed, they have not received the money. Because of that, we were told to go home until the fees are settled.”

According to the students, the group includes 22 students at Gideon Robert University and eight at Levy Mwanawasa Medical University. The students are in Zambia under a three-year government scholarship programme.

The students said some allowances were recently paid, but did not disclose the amount. However, they stressed that the core issue of unpaid tuition remains unresolved.

“As we speak, we are at home and not attending classes. For medical students, missing two weeks of learning is a serious setback,” they said, adding that the uncertainty is taking a mental toll. “It is very stressful because we came here to study, but now we are just waiting.”

The group is expected to begin key continuous assessments later this month.

Correspondence seen by Namibian Sun indicates that the Ministry of Health and Social Services has processed the payment, with the matter now moving through the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Namibia and the Namibian embassy before funds reach the universities. The ministry also reportedly wrote to the institutions requesting that students be allowed to attend classes while payment processes are finalised, although no exact payment date was provided.

Contacted for comment yesterday, the ministry’s chief health programmes officer, Andreas Shaanika, said officials are already in communication with student representatives.

“We even wrote a letter and communicated with the students through their representative,” he said, declining to provide further details.

Ministry spokesperson Walter Kamaya said officials are still verifying details regarding the situation, noting discrepancies in the reported number of affected students.

“It’s contrary to what I was told — I was informed there were only five students,” Kamaya said. “We are not quick to respond while giving wrong information. We want to get our facts right.”

Meanwhile, the National African Students’ Association (NASA) has raised alarm over the delays. In a statement issued Tuesday, the association’s academic secretary Abel Miguel said affected students are struggling to cover tuition, accommodation and basic needs.

“The welfare of our students must remain a national priority,” Miguel said, urging the Ministry of Health and Social Services to urgently release outstanding funds and provide clear timelines.

NMH also sought comment from the Ministry of Finance, but no response was received by the time of publication.

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