Stefanus Nashama
The Student Union of Namibia (SUN) has called for a drastic reduction in registration fees at all tertiary education institutions across the country.
The student body has proposed that the cost be lowered to N$3 000 or less, citing concerns over the affordability of current fees, which are seen as particularly burdensome for vulnerable and needy students.
In a statement released on Thursday, SUN’s president, Shikesho Natangwe, emphasized the urgent need to make higher education more accessible.
“We recommend that registration fees for all universities in Namibia be lowered to below N$3 000. Additionally, we demand that all vulnerable students be allowed to register for free,” Natangwe stated.
The primary focus of the union’s appeal was the University of Namibia (Unam), which currently charges a registration fee of N$6 000.
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) normally charges a registration fee of N$4 500 compared to the International University of Management’s (IUM) fee of N$2 100.
Natangwe described high registration fees at tertiary education institutions as prohibitive for many students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
With concern for vulnerable students unable to access higher education due to financial barriers, the union proposed that eligibility for free registration be verified through government bodies, such as governors’ offices and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare.
“This is crucial to promote equitable access to higher education,” Natangwe asserted.
He noted that the government already holds records of students who have been supported in the past.
SUN also raised issues regarding the treatment of certain tertiary institutions by government agencies.
The union highlighted discrepancies in the accreditation of qualifications by the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA) and the registration of training providers by the National Training Authority (NTA).
“Any discrepancies identified will be addressed through legal channels or, if necessary, through student demonstrations,” Natangwe warned.
The student body called for equal and fair treatment of all institutions to maintain the quality of education in Namibia.
The union also urged for broader reform of the education system, particularly in light of emerging challenges in the fields of cybersecurity and technical education.
Natangwe highlighted the shortage of qualified Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) teachers, which he claimed is negatively affecting the delivery of critical aspects of the curriculum.
“Despite TVET forming part of the basic education curriculum, Namibia lacks adequately trained teachers to deliver this component effectively,” he said.
The union called on the government and relevant institutions to prioritize the training of TVET teachers, to better equip graduates with the skills necessary to meet the demands of the labour market.
