Free tertiary education only for first-time students

Only first-time undergraduate and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students will qualify for the government’s free education.

Under the new criteria, undergraduate students (first primary qualification at NQF level 5 up to level 8, including honours) at public and private higher education institutions receive 100% tuition and registration fee subsidy.

Trainees pursuing their first primary trade at TVET centres will also receive full tuition and registration support. Funding will not be extended to students attempting second or lower-level qualifications, repeaters or non-Namibian citizens.

Postgraduates funding remains suspended.

Minister of education, innovation, sport, youth, arts and culture Sanet Steenkamp says the reforms, effective from the 2026 academic year, are meant to direct limited resources to students pursuing their first primary qualifications, and to protect the integrity of Namibia’s higher education system.

“We are prioritising the most critical phase of study, the first qualification, because this is what enables young people to enter the labour market and meaningfully participate in the economy,” she said at a press conference in Windhoek on Monday.

Steenkamp also said only institutions meeting national quality standards will be funded.

“The government cannot subsidise programmes that do not meet approved standards. Quality assurance is non-negotiable,” she said.

Non-tuition support will be provided only through means-tested loans.

The combined household income threshold will drop from N$500 000 to N$100 000 to focus support on the most financially vulnerable, the minister said.

The non-tuition loan amount remains N$17 000 per year.

Postgraduate studies remain excluded until a national priority fields list is completed, she said.

The minister also said students already funded through the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) will continue receiving support until they complete their studies.

The ministry also warned institutions against admitting students beyond their carrying capacity, saying this compromises quality.

Tuition and registration fees for eligible students at public institutions will not be charged in 2026, while private-institution fees will be handled under existing NSFAF rules.

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