Namibia government to cap private student funding
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp told parliament that parents must cover tuition shortfalls for private tertiary students.
Private tertiary students in Namibia may still face tuition fees shortfalls despite a government funding model, as parents will be expected to pay the difference between government contributions and actual course costs. Education minister Sanet Steenkamp informed the National Assembly that the government's initial focus was on public universities and colleges. A task force is considering how students at private institutions can benefit, with the government proposing to pay a predetermined amount towards course costs, leaving parents to cover the balance.
The minister's explanation did not confirm if the proposed arrangement had received final approval, stating it was still being presented to the treasury, the President, and Cabinet. This comes after Independent Patriots for Change MP Abed Hishoono raised concerns about private students receiving only partial funding as they prepared for examinations. Steenkamp clarified that public institution funding has specific eligibility criteria, including priority fields of study and minimum entry points.
The proposed capped contribution for private institutions contrasts with the full tuition and registration subsidies available to eligible students at public institutions. The distinction in arrangements between public and private institutions has been communicated to stakeholders, including private institutions represented on the task force.
Why it mattersPrivate tertiary students in Namibia are affected because their parents will have to pay the difference between government contributions and actual course fees.