The Namibian Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) and its funding policy are up for review.
The Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, stated that the review is aimed at accommodating students who were declined financial assistance on the basis of the income of their parents.
Some students dropped out of institutions of higher learning due to financial obligations brought about by tuition fees, accommodations, transportation, and meals, as their parents, who, despite a combined earnings of N$500,000, are paying for more than three students at tertiary institutions.
Dr. Kandjii-Murangi was responding to a question by RDP's Kennedy Shekupakela on whether the ministry and NSFAF could not re-visit the clause in the NSFAF policy so that parents can get relief when more than three of their children are studying at tertiary institutions.
Shekupakela stressed that the assumptions that parents can afford are farfetched as they have many children to take care of.
Other factors raised by Shekupakela were the possibility of parents who might not be staying together anymore and the other party who might not take full responsibility, stating that this arrangement could lead to uncontrollable debts.
Dr. Kandjii-Murangi stated that her ministry is aware and is taking immediate action.
"When you look at the joined parental income threshold of N$500,000 per annum, this seems to have made NSFAF a proper fund, and that in itself somehow says that we overlook those who are performing well but who are also from well-to-do families, whose parents, if you put together their income, are above the threshold that is set. But it is indeed important that NSFAF also fund those who excel in their studies, irrespective of where they came from, and I must say that we have observed this, and to ensure that we must look at other alternatives to eventually also consider other alternative income groups."
She added that her ministry is looking to revisit the policy before the end of this year and implement it next year.