Student accommodation is top priority - Nanso
The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) has revealed that its biggest focus for 2023 will be the agenda for student accommodation.
Spokesperson Dorthea Nangolo said over the years, the state of education in Namibia has deteriorated, making it almost impossible for students to pursue tertiary education.
"All of Nanso's advocacy points stem from access to quality education. We continue to investigate what the problem is and what we can do to fix it. Student rent needs to be regulated as well," she said.
Students are expected to pay large amounts for accommodation, and there must be regulation regarding this, she added.
It takes a village
On 1 January, the organisation planned for students to move into a newly developed student and trainee accommodation, Student Village, in Khomasdal, but according to Nangolo, this did not happen.
Higher education ministry spokesperson, Selma Ngola confirmed that the accommodation has not been built yet.
"The ministry has acquired the land but has not started building and development yet. The ministry is waiting for the transaction to be approved by the ministry of finance, so at the moment, we don't know when development will start," she said during a telephonic interview with Namibian Sun.
Last year, during her budget motivation speech for the 2022/2023 financial year, minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi said the long-awaited construction would start in the current financial year.
However, Nanso said to date, it has received no communication from the ministry.
"We have planned to ensure that government speeds up the development of Student Village. We are also looking at funding in general and how we can find a strategic way to generate funds towards access to higher education," Nangolo said.
Spokesperson Dorthea Nangolo said over the years, the state of education in Namibia has deteriorated, making it almost impossible for students to pursue tertiary education.
"All of Nanso's advocacy points stem from access to quality education. We continue to investigate what the problem is and what we can do to fix it. Student rent needs to be regulated as well," she said.
Students are expected to pay large amounts for accommodation, and there must be regulation regarding this, she added.
It takes a village
On 1 January, the organisation planned for students to move into a newly developed student and trainee accommodation, Student Village, in Khomasdal, but according to Nangolo, this did not happen.
Higher education ministry spokesperson, Selma Ngola confirmed that the accommodation has not been built yet.
"The ministry has acquired the land but has not started building and development yet. The ministry is waiting for the transaction to be approved by the ministry of finance, so at the moment, we don't know when development will start," she said during a telephonic interview with Namibian Sun.
Last year, during her budget motivation speech for the 2022/2023 financial year, minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi said the long-awaited construction would start in the current financial year.
However, Nanso said to date, it has received no communication from the ministry.
"We have planned to ensure that government speeds up the development of Student Village. We are also looking at funding in general and how we can find a strategic way to generate funds towards access to higher education," Nangolo said.
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