Interview: NANSO President Dorthea Nangola Calls for Inclusion of Students in Free Tertiary Education Task Force

Dorthea Nangola, President of the National Students Organization (NANSO), has expressed deep disappointment over the exclusion of students from the government’s task force that is crafting the roadmap for free tertiary education. In a statement, Nangola stressed that without direct student involvement, the task force cannot fully understand or address the real needs of learners.

Nangola explained that NANSO has long championed free tertiary education, including proposing a comprehensive education levy model designed to fund this initiative sustainably. “We already have a blueprint,” she said, “developed with input from experts and extensive student consultations.” However, despite this, students have not been included meaningfully in decision-making committees or task forces.

She was clear in her call for genuine participation, not just surface-level consultations. “It is impossible to craft a roadmap for free tertiary education when students are not included at the table. Young people, including NANSO and Student Representative Councils, must be part of these discussions,” Nangola said.

Highlighting critical concerns, Nangola emphasized that access to tertiary education goes beyond just tuition fees. Non-tuition expenses such as accommodation, food, data, and books also place a heavy burden on students. “If you remove support for these, education may be ‘free’ on paper but it becomes inaccessible in reality,” she warned.

She further pointed out that the role of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), which currently provides loans and grants, will be diminished under the free education plan — leaving students without essential financial support for these additional costs.

“We are unwilling to compromise on the basic needs of students,” Nangola asserted. “Students must still be able to cover non-tuition fees to survive and succeed academically. It is unrealistic to expect students to attend classes, write exams, and learn without even having money for transport or meals.”

Nangola’s message underscores the urgent need for the government to include student voices in shaping the future of tertiary education funding in Namibia. “We have consulted widely and know what can work,” she said, “but exclusion from the discussion table is very disappointing.”

The call from NANSO comes as the government continues to finalize policies on free tertiary education — a development many hope will improve access but which also raises questions about funding, fairness, and sustainability.

The post Interview: NANSO President Dorthea Nangola Calls for Inclusion of Students in Free Tertiary Education Task Force first appeared on Future Media News.

The post Interview: NANSO President Dorthea Nangola Calls for Inclusion of Students in Free Tertiary Education Task Force appeared first on Future Media News.