Allexer Namundjembo
The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) is facing backlash from student bodies after it reopened registration for self-funding students but gave them only two days to register.
In a directive issued through the Student Representative Council (SRC) on Wednesday, 23 July 2025, Nust allowed students with tuition debts below N$7,500 to register without payment.
Those owing less than N$10,500 could register by paying N$2,500. The directive expires today.
Student groups say the window is too short to help the very students the relief aims to support.
The Student Union of Namibia (SUN) welcomed the initiative but criticised the timing.
“Short-notice relief is not access, and access without time is exclusion by another name,” said Johannes Malapi, SUN national secretary for information and publicity.
SUN also accused the SRC of failing to protect students.
“By agreeing to a two-day registration window, the SRC undermined the realities of financially struggling students, the very constituency it was elected to serve,” said Malapi.
The union is calling on Nust to extend the registration deadline to 5 August 2025.
SUN also wants the university to introduce a graduation with debt policy, which would allow students to receive their qualifications even if they still owe fees.
“If the current systems no longer serve the principles of equity, access, and student success, then they must be transformed, not protected,” SUN said.
The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) echoed these concerns. While welcoming the debt relief, Nanso described the rushed implementation as inadequate.
“Releasing such a critical directive on a Wednesday and expecting students to respond by Friday is grossly unreasonable,” said Nanso spokesperson Jessy Abraham.
Abraham said this pattern of last-minute announcements disrupts students every semester.
“Every year, payment plans come late. Higher education institutions treat registration like a business transaction, not an academic necessity,” she said.
Nanso confirmed that the Nust SRC has engaged the university on extending the deadline and said it would continue advocating for a more student-focused approach.
The National African Students’ Association (Nasa) also called for an immediate extension of the deadline to Friday, 1 August 2025.
“Expecting students to raise N$2,500 within two days is not practical, especially when most parents and guardians receive salaries only at month-end,” said Nasa national spokesperson-elect Mitch Muatuli.
Nasa urged Nust to issue financial relief announcements at least a week in advance and involve student leaders in policy design.
“Access to education must never be tied to short-notice deadlines. Institutions must plan with students, not around them,” Muatuli said.
With the government planning to introduce free tertiary education by 2026, SUN says institutions must start changing now.
“This national commitment must reflect not only future intentions but also present-day action,” Malapi said.
While some students have benefited from the Nust relief directive, many remain excluded due to the short deadline and ongoing policies such as withholding qualifications from indebted students.
“No student’s educational journey should be cut short due to temporary financial hardship,” SUN said.
“It is the university’s duty to ensure that access is determined by ability, not affordability.”
