Eba Kandovazu
WEEKS after the announcement that the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) will be reintegrated into the Ministry of Higher Education, Training and Innovation, the Namibia National Student’s Organisation (Nanso) has finally pronounced itself on the matter, saying it does not support the move.
Esther Shakela, Nanso Spokesperson, says Government should instead fix the ‘governance predicaments’ NSFAF faces and work towards ensuring that it becomes efficient and effective. Shakela adds that the organisation’s submissions as a stakeholder during the consultations regarding the dissolution of NSFAF are not reflected in the final decision made for NSFAF to fall under the ministry.
“Primarily, we ask for the release of the findings from the consultations for accountability, transparency and ultimately, for clarity on what informed this decision. These decisions must be publicised,” Shakela says.
NSFAF Board Chairperson, Klemens /Awarab, last month confirmed that NSFAF will be reintegrated into the ministry, saying that no job losses are expected.
At the same event, the organisation condemned the setting up of Limkokwing University, a Malaysian university in Namibia, reportedly at the expense of the Namibia Training Authority(NTA).
“While there is yet to be factual details concerning the matter, Nanso would like to make it categorically clear that it does not support the set up of this university, especially because it is going to be reliant on already scarce Government funding. There are ample institutions in Namibia that are fully owned and managed by Namibians. Government funding must prioritise those institutions, and they should be given the necessary support in order to develop them into world class institutions,” Shakela stresses.
According to her, resources should be ploughed back into the economy. Shakela cautions against the duplication of courses by foreign institutions, causes already offered by local institutions, resulting in an influx of graduates into the Labour market.
“We find this to be redundant and encourage Government efforts to be geared in the direction of Namibian-owned institutions. There needs to be international effort by government to grow local institutions and not foreign-owned ones,” Shakela notes.
