Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua has called on the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to review its online application system for loans, saying it does not cater to all learners.
Uerikua was speaking at the Ritja Career Fair at Otjiwanda Secondary School in Grootfontein.
Although learners were keen on learning more about different career paths, only two institutions showed up to support the fair.
NSFAF, which prides itself on funding students studying at institutions of higher learning, encouraged learners to apply for loans from the fund.
"Today, as I'm speaking to you, we just concluded a round of students to be funded this year. About 30 thousand young people have applied to the fund, and roughly 23 000 of them will be funded. This group adds to the number of students who are currently pursuing their studies. What do we want from you? We want performance, and you need to be a disciplined candidate," said Perscy Tjahere, Marketing and Communications Manager at NSFAF.
However, Uerikua says that with applications only done online, those without or with poor internet connections are left out.
"When we look at the budgetary provision of education in the Republic of Namibia, the Ministry of Education got the biggest chunk, but as I look at the regional set-up of it, I ask myself if your application system is done through online means. I am from an area called Tsumkwe in Gam where the reality of the internet is something you need to dream of; there's only 2 G, let alone 3 G. A leaner from that area who has to download an application letter to compete with an Otjiwanda SS or St. Paul's Secondary School leaner is totally not on a level playing field as far as that is concerned."
He recommends that NSFAF visit those areas to enable learners without internet access to apply for loans.
Grootfontein mayor Talitha Garises called on learners to dream big and not overlook the potential of vocational training.
"It is important to keep an open mind and to acknowledge the different types of career pathways in and outside of academia."
The Grootfontein Ritja Career Fair was attended by representatives from five schools in the Otjozondjupa region. These are Coblenz, Grootfontein, Otjiwanda, Kalkfeld, and Fredrick Awaseb secondary schools.