Members of the National Council are calling for free tertiary education and improved access to financial assistance for all students.

This comes as they discussed the reintegration of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) back into the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation.

To improve service accessibility, the MPs are also advocating for the opening of NSFAF branches in all 14 regions of the nation.

Swapo Party MP John Likando stressed the need for better support for Namibian students, reminding the nation of the late President's vision that "no one should feel left out".

Likando supports the move to reintegrate NSFAF into the ministry, arguing that the current system has excluded many students from financial assistance.

The UDFs Sebastiaan !Gobs flagged issues about students struggling to afford their education.

He highlighted that many students turn to constituency offices for help, often relying on leftover development funds to pay registration fees.

However, he warned that students often drop out when they cannot cover additional costs.

!Gobs also called for NSFAF to clearly define its role, whether it functions as a grant or a loan fund.

He noted that some graduates still face financial struggles after completing their studies, unsure if they are expected to repay the money.

LPM MP Harald Kambrude supported the idea of NSFAF branches in all regions, saying the move would align with Namibia's Decentralisation Act.

He expressed cautious excitement about the changes, adding that the bill should also consider transferring the fund's management to the Ministry of Finance.

Kambrude questioned why Namibian students, who will ultimately contribute to the country's development, should have to pay back NSFAF funding.

Swapo Party MP Andreas Amundjindi has criticised NSFAF for spending too much on staff salaries instead of directly supporting students.

He believes that after these reforms, all students should be funded regardless of their parents' income.

He suggested that sectors such as fishing and mining contribute annually to the fund to make free tertiary education possible.

LPMs Paul Isaak focused attention on the need to improve digital application processes, especially for students in rural areas.

He also urged NSFAF to address concerns about tribal favouritism in staff recruitment by calling for fair representation.