Some 2 700 full-time and part-time students owe the institution N$9,5 million for this academic year.

Unam's Director of Communications, Edwin Tjiramba, said the number of students who owe money to the institution is "quite alarming" as it represents 33 per cent of the total student enrolment (8 446) for this academic year.

"Affected students will be allowed to pay their fees up to a day before their respective examinations in order to be allowed to write that specific subject," Tjiramba said in a statement. The end of year exams start next week on Wednesday.

Students, bursary and non-bursary holders, managed to reduce their debt by N$5 million from N$14 million two months ago.

Some who still owe hostel fees were not allowed back into their rooms when the last semester started on September 2.

The indebted students were initially required to pay all outstanding
accounts by July 31. As from the middle of September, Unam started charging a market-related interest on all overdue accounts.

Tjiramba said debtors will not re-register for next year, receive their results or graduate unless they pay up.

Unam wants to reclaim at least 90 per cent of the total outstanding balance as the debt is affecting operations. Tjiramba said earlier that Unam might have to cut some of its operations or projects to cope with the debt.

The university appealed to all parents, guardians and students to arrange for the settlement of fees to ensure that students are allowed to sit for the end-of-the year exams.

The student debt problem is a perennial one, which Unam has been steadily overcoming over the last few years, according to Tjiramba.

"It occurs mainly as a result of students who manage to pay their initial fees at the beginning of the year but then default on their remaining obligations for the rest of the year," he said.

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