The Namibia National Student Organisation (NANSO) is calling on the government to implement an information campaign to ensure that the phased subsidised tertiary education model is well understood. 

As access to basic education improved, attention gradually shifted to tertiary education – seen as critical for skill development, economic growth and nation-building.

Institutions such as UNAM and later NUST became central to producing professionals for the public and private sectors.

However, as demand for higher education grew, so did the cost of studying. 

It is against this backdrop that the president of NANSO, Dorthea Nangolo, believes an information campaign will help not only students but also parents and guardians on what is expected of them.

"So radio programmes, TV programmes, and pamphlets that really break down fully subsidised teacher education. In fact, we must even have a hotline where students and parents can quickly call the ministry directly and say, 'This is the situation we are in, and we need guidance.' I think PS, a stakeholder, is done. So we play a very critical role in ensuring that we educate our students and our parents, but we can only go so far with our little budget and our funding that's available to us. I think more has to be done to ensure that the message reaches across."

The government had stated that for the 2026 academic year, the NSFAF requirements will remain the basis for determining funding eligibility.

Nangolo, however, believes that this needs to be amended.

"I think we need to do a bit more work in revamping the requirements and ensuring that the requirements are responsive. I think one of our challenges was that the issue of grade 11s before the ministry's announcement was that ordinarily, grade 11s were excluded. That's an example of a requirement that could exclude needy students. Then you also have mature-age entry students who perhaps still need support."

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Youth, Civic Relations and Community Development, Marlyn Mbakera, explained that the policy is still a work in progress and has not been finalised, with implementation expected to take place in phases, calling for patience.

"So I think that there is still much work that needs to be done with regard to perfecting this product that we are sitting with. And I think there is still room for engagements and consultations that will come. As I've said, there was a time factor that was at play. The task was under pressure. The task really did not have much time to even consult the stakeholders."