Disgruntled self-funded Students owing the Namibia University of Science and Technology(NUST) say the university is failing them after they have been blocked from registering for second semester, saying that the university refuses to listen to their pleas.
The university blocked students from registering due to outstanding debts incurred during the previous semester. The institute demands that outstanding debt must be settled before students will be allowed to register for the second semester.
Several students have expressed concerns about their future at the institution because they are unable to settle their debts.
Maria Amutenya, a student who is self-funded said that despite managing to pay her second-semester registration fee of N$4 500, she still owes the university and as such has been unable to register.
“I have, on numerous occasions, pleaded with NUST to allow me to pay off my debts at least via instalments while I continue with my second semester, but they refuse to level with me. Mind you, I do not have this money, but the fact they are not willing to compromise with me is very concerning,” she said.
The student stated that the unwillingness from NUST to compromise with her is jeopardizing her academic future and she is now calling on the intervention by government to step in to rescue them because they have no other option.
Amutenya said that the model which NUST is using is also not conducive for self-funded students and opined that there is a need to change it to accommodate students who can’t afford to pay upfront since many come from already struggling homes and they just missed out on Namibia Students Fund Assistance Fund(NSFAF)loans.
NUST is also criticized for delaying the submission of student invoices to NSFAF as their portals still show that they still owe the institution, even though they were allowed to register for the second semester.
The students stressed that they need to get their non-tuition fees for accommodation and prepare for the semester, however, with these delays, they are left in a dilemma.
National Council Member, Paulus Mbangu responded to the ordeal of NUST students and other tertiary institutions.
“That is unacceptable. Access to education should never be the capacity to pay. The NSFAF’s performance is pathetic and the delay is not justifiable, they need to pull up their socks,” he said.
Meanwhile, another National Council member, John Likando said that it’s important to note that most Namibian students hail from a poor background and that a dedicated process of analysing factors of influence is important.
“The settlement of debts must be justified and needs to be treated on an individual basis”.
Likando stressed that NUST should design a process that accommodates students and by doing so, will allow everyone to make arrangements to recover debt from all persons.
He added that the use of uncomfortable methods will just worsen the situation.
Questions sent to NUST remained unanswered.
