Various student bodies held media recently to share their concerns about the proposed NSFAF Amendment Bill.

In terms of the proposed bill, the student funding body is to be reincorporated into the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation.

The proposed bill would empower the minister to establish a policy framework for the granting of financial assistance to eligible students at approved institutions of higher learning.

The students say that the bill promotes differentiation between private and public universities and does not promote healthy competition among institutions.

Furthermore, the bill introduces discriminatory practices that unfairly categorise and separate students based on the institutions they attend.

"Should the NSFAF Amendment Bill be enacted in its current form, we will have no option but to organise and lead a national demonstration to express our discontent. It is crucial that the voices of the students are heard and their concerns are addressed in a fair and just manner. We call upon all stakeholders, including government, educational institutions and the general public, to stand in solidarity with us as we fight for equitable and transparent educational funding policies," said Lusia Munepupapa, Deputy President of Congress at UNAM.

The students say that excessive concentrations of power are placed in the hands of the minister, which, according to them, would give space for personal agendas and foster corruption, nepotism, and unfair favouritism in the allocation of resources.

Another concern is their personal details being handed over to third parties for debt collection when they fail to repay their loans.

Paulus Vihemba, the board chairperson of NASA, said, "If you don't pay the amount within the reasonable time they have given you, the ministry can take you to court. It's there. The ministry also is saying that if you don't pay the loan, the ministry is empowered by the act for them to publish your details. They can also give your numbers and details, invade your privacy and share with a third party to continue following you."

The students urged the government to rethink the amendment and ensure that financial assistance provided by NSFAF serves the best interests of all Namibian students regardless of the institution they attend.

The Association of Private Higher Education Institutions in Namibia also expressed concern about the powers granted to the minister to determine who gets funding or not.

The association stated that abuse of such power is possible, particularly given the annual disbursements from NSFAF.

The body further said the bill should not be passed before consultations are undertaken with all stakeholders.

The bill was passed by both houses of parliament without amendments and now waits for the President's signature.