Nanso demands changes in tertiary education
During the launch of its ‘access to basic education’ campaign earlier this week, the Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) demanded that universities and institutions of higher learning do away with mandatory deposits on tuition fees, and only charge registration fees.
In addition, no student or trainee must be denied an opportunity to register due to historic debt, it said.
"To date, many institutions continue to deny students the right to access higher education due to high registration fees, historic debt and short registration periods.
“We, the students, demand that all institutions of higher learning scrap the mandatory deposit on tuition fees paid together with registration fees," Nanso president Lucia Ndishishi said.
Funding
The organisation further called out the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) for delaying processes by not decentralising its services.
"The fund must actively set up help desks to assist all students and trainees across the country on campuses. Additionally, NSFAF must fast-track its response to reactivations, applications and appeals. Time and time again, the fund has delayed its processes unreasonably, thereby frustrating and demoralising students and, potentially, denying those without financial means access to education," she said.
Ndishishi further demanded that all outstanding tuition and non-tuition fees dating back to 2019 be paid no later than February.
"And in 2024, we call for the monthly payment of the non-tuition fees to be more consistent and effective. For us, the provision of financial assistance alone is not sufficient.
“We demand timely and sufficient funding that is sensitive to the socioeconomic dynamics of our population, and does not imprison students – many of whom are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds – to a life of student debt."
In addition, no student or trainee must be denied an opportunity to register due to historic debt, it said.
"To date, many institutions continue to deny students the right to access higher education due to high registration fees, historic debt and short registration periods.
“We, the students, demand that all institutions of higher learning scrap the mandatory deposit on tuition fees paid together with registration fees," Nanso president Lucia Ndishishi said.
Funding
The organisation further called out the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) for delaying processes by not decentralising its services.
"The fund must actively set up help desks to assist all students and trainees across the country on campuses. Additionally, NSFAF must fast-track its response to reactivations, applications and appeals. Time and time again, the fund has delayed its processes unreasonably, thereby frustrating and demoralising students and, potentially, denying those without financial means access to education," she said.
Ndishishi further demanded that all outstanding tuition and non-tuition fees dating back to 2019 be paid no later than February.
"And in 2024, we call for the monthly payment of the non-tuition fees to be more consistent and effective. For us, the provision of financial assistance alone is not sufficient.
“We demand timely and sufficient funding that is sensitive to the socioeconomic dynamics of our population, and does not imprison students – many of whom are from previously disadvantaged backgrounds – to a life of student debt."
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