Nine students receiving fully-funded bursaries from the Social Security Commission (SSC) to study a Level 3 Certificate in Clothing Production at the International Training College Lingua have raised concerns regarding insufficient monthly allowances and hostel living conditions.
The students, who each receive N$2 400 per month, said N$2 000 is deducted for hostel fees, leaving only N$400 for food and personal expenses. They describe meals as inadequate, citing limited options and, in some cases, food allergies that were not accommodated.
The situation has forced at least one student to leave the hostel and drop out. The students said they were formally selected for their bursaries and qualified for the programme.
Some complaints about living conditions, they say, have been met with admonishments rather than constructive engagement.
Perspectives
Julia Nghipetekwa, a Level 3 Clothing Production student, said she moved out of the hostel after realising the allowance did not sufficiently cover food and personal needs.
“When I enrolled, I was informed that my tuition, accommodation and meals would be fully covered. But, we were later told that Social Security does not pay for meals, and lecturers contributed to feeding us. Now, with N$2 000 going to hostel fees, N$400 is insufficient to survive on,” she said.
Divia Patricia, from the Zambezi region and a member of the San community added that “the food provided was often just vetkoek for multiple meals. When we raised concerns, we were told we should be grateful to receive N$2 400 to cover our own accommodation and personal needs. I sought assistance from my regional councillor for hostel payment proof, but the college refused to provide it. As a result, I am struggling financially and cannot fully focus on my studies”.
Magdalena Linus, a bursary student at Lingua College, discussed the impact of changes to the bursary arrangement.
“We were fourteen students from different regions funded by Social Security. The bursary was supposed to cover accommodation, food and allowance. But gradually, we stopped receiving food from the school, leaving only N$400 for personal expenses. “The school has been unresponsive to our concerns and has refused to communicate with our parents or local officials. This situation is forcing us to ask for additional support and is negatively affecting our studies and well-being. We are also attending workshops without proper safety gear, which raises health concerns,” she said.
Response
Duscan Kasika, head of DF Project Monitoring and Evaluation, confirmed that Lingua College received funding from SSC in May 2025 and signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) detailing the terms and conditions.
“Lingua, as the training provider and not the students, applied for funding. Therefore, student issues should be dealt with by the college. SSC respects the SLA and has provided the necessary support,” he said.
Lingua
The college clarified that the standard hostel fee is N$2 800 per month, excluding food. As such, the N$2 400 are provided by SSC per month toward accommodation, and tuition fees are fully covered under the bursary. P
roof of payments made to students is reportedly available.
The college noted that hostel accommodation is offered to ease transport challenges and provide a secure environment.
“Following concerns, the N$2 400 allowance is now paid directly to students
so they can source accommodation themselves. Discounted hostel rates and room-sharing options are also available,” the statement adds.
Next steps
The student body plans to formally consult the SSC to clarify bursary conditions and funding allocations, seek renewed dialogue with the institution’s management, and, if no resolution is reached, consider organising a peaceful public protest to advocate for fair treatment and improved living conditions.
Isack Mathews, national spokesperson for the National African Students Association, said “every student admitted to the institution earned their place and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background. We stand for fairness and will engage all relevant stakeholders to address these concerns constructively”.