The Minister of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, has announced that Subsidised Tertiary Education will continue as planned, but clarified that acceptance to a tertiary institution does not automatically guarantee funding, as eligibility will be determined according to the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) requirements.
“The Ministry further wishes to clarify that for the 2026 Academic Year, the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) requirements will remain the basis for determining funding eligibility. This is within the context of the approved Subsidised Funding Model. These requirements, as you may well be aware, are well-established and focus on supporting Namibian students pursuing their primary qualification at accredited TVET and higher education institutions. For a smooth transition and to ensure that no eligible student is disadvantaged, subsidised tertiary education in 2026 will be implemented through the existing NSFAF funding requirements with an expanded scope of coverage, while tertiary institutions will continue to apply their current admission criteria,” Steenkamp explained.
She highlighted this during a recent press conference aimed at shedding light on the implementation of Subsidised Tertiary Education in the 2026 Academic Year. She emphasised that the programme will continue as planned, confirming that the government has secured funding for the year.
“The government has secured the funding for the 2026 Academic Year, and eligible students who meet the requirements at public or private tertiary institutions will be subsidised for their registration and tuition fees for their primary qualification. This reform is being implemented through a phased approach, recognising the complexity of the education system and the need to ensure stability, quality, and fairness,” Steenkamp said.
The Minister assured the public that the Ministry is committed to ensuring the success of Subsidised Tertiary Education, with the aim of prioritising and safeguarding access to quality education for all. In this regard, she revealed that the government has increased the non-tuition household income threshold to N$300,000 to further enhance inclusivity.
“Government has increased the non-tuition household income threshold to N$300,000, broadening access to students from low and middle-income households and reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusivity and equity,” she said.
Steenkamp further assured that the Ministry has engaged relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of subsidised tertiary education and to guarantee a smooth transition that prioritises inclusivity.
“Over the past few weeks, the Ministry has engaged extensively with key stakeholders and prominent role players to ensure a smooth and inclusive implementation. These engagements included regulatory authorities as well as training institutions. Today, the Ministry concluded consultations with private tertiary institutions through their representative bodies: the Association of Private Higher Education Institutions in Namibia and the Association of Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutions in Namibia. These engagements have been critical in aligning expectations and implementation modalities across the sector,” Steenkamp said.
Photo: Ministry of Education.
