Stefanus Nashama
The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement has cautioned vocational institutions nationwide against charging registration and examination fees to government-funded students.
The group suggests that continuing this practice might lead to public outrage.
The AR’s National Spokesperson, George Kambala, believes that vocational institutions should prioritize affordable, quality education.
He contends that charging such fees is not only unethical but also puts unnecessary financial strain on students looking to gain essential vocational skills.
“Consider this a clear warning. If these institutions don’t change their ways, we’re prepared to hold them accountable through legal and regulatory avenues,” he warned.
Kambala also emphasized the movement’s dedication to ensuring that disadvantaged students’ concerns are addressed and rights protected.
AR identifies several institutions they believe are guilty of this practice, including the Namibian Maritime and Fisheries Institute, Community Skills Development Centre, Shalon, Ngato Vocational Training Center, African Hospitality, Development Aid from People to People, and any other vocational schools with similar practices.
According to Kambala, extracting registration and examination fees from government-funded students contradicts the very purpose of such government support.
“The intent behind government educational funding is to foster equal access and to equip individuals with crucial skills,” he said.
He emphasized that this funding, sourced from taxpayers, aims to remove financial barriers to education.
It is designed to ensure that eligible students can embark on vocational trajectories without being saddled with extraneous fees.
“This behaviour contravenes educational tenets and risks depriving numerous potential learners of opportunities they rightly deserve,” Kambala stated.
While he clarified that the AR movement isn’t fundamentally against vocational institutions, it vehemently opposes the imposition of undue fees on students.
“We cannot and will not stand for this. We urge an immediate cessation of this unjustifiable practice. Levying fees on these students hinders the development of the skilled workforce crucial for our nation’s prosperity,” he stressed.
When reached for comment, a representative from Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) indicated that they only address media inquiries in person or through scheduled appointments.
