NASA takes aim at NSFAF’s ‘discriminatory’ policies
• ‘Deserving students purposefully excluded’
The association launched a reform initiative last month, which will see it consulting students and student leaders on NSFAF's policies.
National African Students’ Association (NASA) president Paulus Vihemba has criticised the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF)’s policies, saying its discriminatory criteria and regulations purposefully exclude many deserving students.
He made these remarks last Friday at a reform conference in Rundu, aimed at consulting students and student leaders on NSFAF’s funding model.
“We strongly believe that the current NSFAF policies - namely the student financial assistance and debt recovery policy procedures of 2021 - are inconsistent with the [Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund Act],” he said.
“It is the obligation of the government, NSFAF and the parliament of Namibia to [avail] enough funds for all qualifying students. It is for that reason that the association on 2 May launched the NSFAF reform initiative. We will consult students and student leaders and thereafter compile a document that will serve as a foundation for negotiations with the higher education ministry and NSFAF in July.”
Access to funding
Vihemba said the initiative seeks to address access to financial assistance.
“Currently, non-tuition fees are only paid to students registered at the University of Namibia [Unam], Namibia University of Science and Technology [NUST] and International University of Management [IUM]. Students from other approved institutions only [receive] tuition fees. This initiative advocates for indiscriminate awarding of non-tuition fees to all students,” he said.
He added that the association wants NSFAF’s parental income criteria amended.
“NSFAF doesn’t fund students whose parents’ combined gross income is more than N$ 500 000 and parents are left with the financial burden to cater for both tuition and non-tuition fees. Because of the high cost of living, many parents cannot afford to pay for their children’s education. These students end up accumulating debts and subsequently drop out of school.”
Equal support
Triumphant College student representative council chairperson Frans Katombera said NSFAF’s main purpose is to provide financial assistance to students who cannot afford it. “However, what is the point of providing non-tuition fees if they are not distributed fairly? We believe that every student deserves equal support, regardless of their institution. We are not asking for special treatment or privileges. We are simply demanding that NSFAF adhere to its mandate and treat all students equally,” he said.
NASA’s secretary-general Maria Mulyata added that the majority of students depend on non-tuition fees for day-to-day expenses.
“This issue of [the payment of] non-tuition fees has been a long-standing [one] and student rights are being [violated]. Denying or taking long to release funds forces some students, particularly girls, to participate in immoral activities such as prostitution, while boys tend to get involved in crime to be able to pay their rent and cater for their wants and needs.
“We must uphold the values of integrity and ensure all students have equal access to funding opportunities,” she stressed.
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He made these remarks last Friday at a reform conference in Rundu, aimed at consulting students and student leaders on NSFAF’s funding model.
“We strongly believe that the current NSFAF policies - namely the student financial assistance and debt recovery policy procedures of 2021 - are inconsistent with the [Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund Act],” he said.
“It is the obligation of the government, NSFAF and the parliament of Namibia to [avail] enough funds for all qualifying students. It is for that reason that the association on 2 May launched the NSFAF reform initiative. We will consult students and student leaders and thereafter compile a document that will serve as a foundation for negotiations with the higher education ministry and NSFAF in July.”
Access to funding
Vihemba said the initiative seeks to address access to financial assistance.
“Currently, non-tuition fees are only paid to students registered at the University of Namibia [Unam], Namibia University of Science and Technology [NUST] and International University of Management [IUM]. Students from other approved institutions only [receive] tuition fees. This initiative advocates for indiscriminate awarding of non-tuition fees to all students,” he said.
He added that the association wants NSFAF’s parental income criteria amended.
“NSFAF doesn’t fund students whose parents’ combined gross income is more than N$ 500 000 and parents are left with the financial burden to cater for both tuition and non-tuition fees. Because of the high cost of living, many parents cannot afford to pay for their children’s education. These students end up accumulating debts and subsequently drop out of school.”
Equal support
Triumphant College student representative council chairperson Frans Katombera said NSFAF’s main purpose is to provide financial assistance to students who cannot afford it. “However, what is the point of providing non-tuition fees if they are not distributed fairly? We believe that every student deserves equal support, regardless of their institution. We are not asking for special treatment or privileges. We are simply demanding that NSFAF adhere to its mandate and treat all students equally,” he said.
NASA’s secretary-general Maria Mulyata added that the majority of students depend on non-tuition fees for day-to-day expenses.
“This issue of [the payment of] non-tuition fees has been a long-standing [one] and student rights are being [violated]. Denying or taking long to release funds forces some students, particularly girls, to participate in immoral activities such as prostitution, while boys tend to get involved in crime to be able to pay their rent and cater for their wants and needs.
“We must uphold the values of integrity and ensure all students have equal access to funding opportunities,” she stressed.
– [email protected]
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