NSFAF to start paying students monthly

Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) acting chief executive Kennedy Kandume says the fund will start paying its beneficiaries on a monthly basis on 26 April.

This comes after the Students’ Union of Namibia (SUN) yesterday proposed the immediate commencement of non-tuition payments to students by the end of April.

“This payment is a tripartite affair, meaning it involves ourselves as the funder, the institution, and higher education. For the funds to be released certain information is required from the institution of higher learning, and this is normally the cause of delayed payments,” Kandume said yesterday.

SUN president Benhard Kavau says if the NSFAF fails to adhere to its plea, the union would hold a demonstration.

He said this at a press conference at the International University of Management in Windhoek.

“SUN proposes the immediate commencement of monthly non-tuition payments by the end of April. Prompt implementation is vital in ensuring that students swiftly benefit from this vital support – especially as they navigate the challenge posed by the academic year,” he said.

Kavau said by providing comprehensive financial assistance, Namibian students would have equal opportunity to excel in their studies and contribute meaningfully to society.

“As the academic year progresses, the Students’ Union of Namibia urgently calls upon all institutions of higher learning to prioritise the timely submission of invoices to the NSFAF. This crucial step is essential to facilitate the prompt disbursement of funds and ensure that students’ tuition fees are paid on time,” he said.

The union further emphasised the importance of collaboration between educational institutions and the NSFAF to streamline administrative processes and ensure the efficient distribution of financial assistance.

Kavau said it is imperative that all stakeholders recognise their shared responsibility in safeguarding students’ access to education and work collectively towards achieving this goal.

“We call upon the NSFAF to speed up contracting the new awardees so that students can have access to examination halls.

“We suggest that a list of provisionally awarded students for 2024 be released as soon as possible for institutions to know who to invoice,” he said.

The Namibian earlier reported that the Office of the Prime Minister has issued a directive to the Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation to release the funds of students with outstanding fees who are due for graduation in April.

In a letter dated 6 March, prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila directed the higher education ministry to engage Namibian universities to allow all such students to attend their graduation ceremonies.

“This directive is due to the fact that the Office of the Prime Minister is inundated with many requests from students who are unable to settle their debts in time for their graduation.

“Therefore, the NSFAF should be directed to pay the outstanding tuition fees of all affected students, and ensure they recover their money from the students, in accordance with their recovery policy,” the letter reads.

The letter further says should the fund not be in a position to pay the outstanding fees of all students due for graduation in April, the ministry is directed to approach the treasury for an additional capital injection.