President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has said the intended provision of free tertiary education is in part to encourage entrepreneurship among young people.
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah provided context to the government's decision to provide free tertiary education as of next year during a recent discussion with African Business Stories in Luanda, Angola.
African Business Stories is a magazine programme that spotlights the success of women business leaders on the continent.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah announced the government's decision to provide free tertiary education during the maiden State of the Nation Address in April.
The decision has been applauded as a bold move in the President's commitment to empower the youth on all fronts and education as an enabler.
Nandi-Ndaitwah explained that once empowered, graduates would be able to participate fully in the country's socio-economic development.
"That is why we have decided that education should be free. In fact, I have to tell you that if you make a deep analysis of how the government of Namibia is supporting education and training, you will realise that it has been free for a long time. For example, the public universities are funded by the government, and the government established a fund to pay students' tuition fees. Now, students get the money, then pay, and the administrator is in between. If you cut out the administrator and give the money to the university, students won't have to deal with the headache of not getting jobs."
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp confirmed to NBC News that a task force comprising officials from all public institutions of higher learning has been established.
She said that the task force members have been given terms of reference and are to look into funding modalities and planning, as well as other priority areas in the provision of free education.
The task force is expected to meet for the second time on the 3rd of July, and Minister Steenkamp said feedback will be provided to President Nandi-Ndaitwah for further discussions in August.
The implementation of free tertiary education is set to be rolled out through a phased approach.
The provision of free tertiary education would position Namibia alongside those, including Botswana, which had been providing free education since independence.