Namibia's President Reveals Ambitious Plan for Free Higher Education by 2026

Namibia's first female president has pledged to eliminate university fees by 2026, but concerns linger over the funding and feasibility of such a scheme.

Namibia’s new leader, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has made a groundbreaking announcement in her initial state of the nation address, revealing plans to abolish university fees starting in 2026. This initiative aims to eliminate all tuition and registration fees at public universities and technical colleges, as she assured lawmakers it would be implemented gradually.

During her speech, Nandi-Ndaitwah referenced the long-standing demands from students, stating, "We have heard your cries: 'the Fees have Fallen'," aligning her government’s initiative with similar movements in neighboring South Africa. While primary and secondary education is already free across the nation’s public schools, the proposed free higher education draws mixed reactions from different student organizations.

Critically, some groups, like the Affirmative Repositioning Student Command (ARSC), have raised alarm over the feasibility of the plan, labeling it a potential "attention-seeking ploy" with no clear strategy. They questioned the specifics regarding who would benefit and how the initiative would be funded. Nandi-Ndaitwah has indicated that existing subsidies and student financial assistance funds would cover the costs, but critics argue that without adequate funding, the scheme could result in capping student admissions or limiting benefits to low-income households.

The announcement echoes South Africa’s experience wherein a similar mandate from 2017 led to minimal benefits for the broader student population, particularly leaving out those part of the "missing middle" - those too affluent to qualify for aid yet unable to afford tuition. As Namibia embarks on this ambitious plan, the effectiveness and practicality remain topics for ongoing debate.