Rudolf Gaiseb
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare says the dream of free education is a step closer after decades of struggle.
Speaking at the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s student orientation day on Thursday, Ngurare said the battle was long and brutal, but with registration and tuition fees having fallen, education is now free in its entirety, a step closer.
The government implemented a Subsidised Tertiary Education Funding Model that covers tuition and registration fees for eligible first-time undergraduate and TVET students at public institutions and recognised private institutions.
“There was a time we were students and student leaders. We marched, we demanded, we carried drums, and we demanded free education. We were tear-gassed, demanding free education. When we were in the leadership at the party headquarters, we did the same,” described Ngurare
“The late Abraham Iyambo was the minister of education. We would call him in and spend countless hours with him. We said to him, ‘Comrade, we want free education”.
Ngurare noted that although some may prefer to discuss it academically, for families across the country unable to afford to send their children here (at NUST), this subsidised tuition and registration fee is truly a blessing from God.
The PM encouraged the freshmen to take the opportunity seriously, leverage it to achieve their best academic results, and make their parents proud.
AI and academics
NUST acting Vice Chancellor Andrew Niikondo, while welcoming the students, told them to apply focus and self-discipline as the first cohorts of the subsidised tertiary education.
He noted that some students engage in misconduct that may disrupt their academic journey.
This includes students plagiarising by using artificial intelligence (AI) to complete assignments.
“This conduct may lead to disciplinary action, and you can be suspended from studying at NUST, and your benefit of subsidised education is lost,” he warned.
Niikondo stressed that these are taxpayers’ hard-earned resources, invested in youth education and, ultimately, in Namibia’s future.
-rgaiseb@nepc.com