Govt to spend N$5 billion annually on free education

The government will spend N$5 billion annually to drive the free tertiary education policy announced by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah last week during her maiden state of the nation address (Sona) to parliament.

The 100% tertiary education subsidy is part of the ruling Swapo party manifesto and policy document unveiled last year.

According to Swapo, the target is to eliminate tuition on all government-run higher education institutions and technical and vocational training (TVET) centres by 2028.

According to Swapo’s policy, N$25 billion has been set aside aside for the next five years to fully implement the plan.

One of the ways the policy will be implemented is through merging and streamlining accreditation and regulatory institutions, and amending the law to reintegrate the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) as a directorate of the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture to save money. It will also include engaging with different tertiary education institutions to gain a clear understanding of individual degree costs.

The Swapo policy also states that new degrees in all institutions can only be introduced when funds are available.

Meanwhile, the University of Namibia (Unam) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) say they have yet to be formally approached about how the free tertiary education policy will work.

“Although it is only two days since the announcement, the university has not yet received formal, detailed communication regarding the operational framework or implementation modalities of the subsidy,” Unam spokesperson Simon Namesho said yesterday.

WELCOME DECISION

Namesho said the university welcomes the government’s decision to provide free tertiary education.

He said the university is committed to working collaboratively with the government and all stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition that maintains academic quality, operational sustainability and access for all deserving students.

“Unam is optimistic and anticipates that structured consultations between the government, regulators of the higher education system, higher education institutions and other key stakeholders will take place well ahead of the commencement of the 2026 academic year,” Namesho said.

Nust spokesperson Nashilongo Gervasius, speaking after the president’s speech, said the costs and all related matters regarding the free tertiary education system will only be known once discussions have taken place between the government and the relevant institutions.

“We stand ready to engage further once additional details are made available. We affirm our commitment to working collectively with the government, industry stakeholders and the broader academic community,” she said.

While waiting for further details, Gervasius said they welcome the policy direction and the transformative possibilities it holds for both the education sector and the nation.

She, however, acknowledged the implications such a directive will have on Namibia’s human capital development, workforce readiness, and national progress.

She added that this is a call to action to prepare for a future in which education is inclusive and innovation is driven by the full spectrum of Namibian potential.

Meanwhile, economist Josef Sheehama, speaking in response to the announcement, says in terms of breaking the cycle of poverty, tackling youth unemployment and improving Namibia’s literacy rate, free tertiary education is a significant step in the right direction.

“However, it’s important to remember that free tertiary education entails significant reductions in government spending in other equally vital sectors that promote economic growth.”

He notes that there have been different responses to free higher education in terms of operational budgeting within public universities and vocational training.

“While I support free tertiary education as a system, I have doubts about its viability in the long run in an economy that is only beginning to recover and is extremely vulnerable owing to global market volatility.”

Sheehama says the directive will have a number of detrimental repercussions and put further financial strain on taxpayers.

He says the predicted rapid rise in enrolment would put university resources under more strain, possibly reducing the overall quality of education provided. And as private institutions would have more access to resources and funds than the government, the value of a degree may decline.

He suggests that universities will be able to maintain their standards and reputations if they charge students whose parents can afford the fees, which would also enable the institutions to attract qualified educators with the promise of a stable income.

The economist says the inequality gap could be further addressed by offering free tertiary education to students from underprivileged households or marginalised groups who might not be able to afford tuition.

NO GUARANTEE

Although free higher education may be beneficial as one of a strong set of policies pertaining to access, Sheehama says it is not a guarantee of development and may even be detrimental.

“Even though the country may have more degree holders, there may be fewer job opportunities, meaning there are more degree-holding individuals on the streets. “A further alternative that will benefit graduates, universities and vocational schools is to drastically lower corporate taxes for businesses that are prepared to hire and train fresh graduates,” Sheehama says.

Political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah says the decision to provide free tertiary education is a bold and welcome move.

He, however, says the feasibility of this policy is uncertain, given the government’s historical challenges in fully funding basic education.

He points out that in 2022, the then Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture’s budget was insufficient to meet national needs, leading to cuts in pupil grants and reduced allocations for textbooks and stationery.

“Additionally, a significant portion of the education budget is allocated to personnel costs, leaving limited funds for operational and developmental expenses. Therefore, while the policy is commendable, its success will depend on securing sufficient funding and ensuring effective implementation,” Kamwanyah adds.