Up to 134,000 Namibian students could benefit from the government’s subsidised tertiary education programme in its first year of implementation, depending on whether institutions meet minimum quality and cost standards, according to Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp.
The programme, which is scheduled to be rolled out in 2026, will apply only to first primary qualifications. These include undergraduate programmes from National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels 5 to 8, such as diplomas, degrees and honours, as well as technical and vocational education and training (TVET) trades from NQF levels 1 to 6.
Steenkamp told The Brief government estimates were based on current enrolment figures at public and private institutions, as well as the number of students previously supported through state funding mechanisms.
“The estimate is based on current beneficiaries and a maximum projection of 134,000 students derived from last year’s public and private enrolment figures. The final number may be lower, depending on whether institutions meet the minimum quality standards set by government,” she said.
She stressed that the model is a subsidy rather than full funding of all study-related costs, meaning families will continue to carry expenses such as accommodation, transport and learning materials.
Eligibility will be limited to students pursuing their first undergraduate qualification at levels 5 to 8, while those in the vocational stream will qualify from levels 1 to 6.
“The programme is not free tertiary education but a subsidised funding model. Government will cover registration and tuition fees for eligible undergraduate students at both public and private higher education institutions,” Steenkamp said.
She added that the final number of beneficiaries will depend on institutional compliance with minimum quality and cost standards, noting that enrolment figures alone will not determine participation.
Steenkamp said government would adopt a phased approach to ensure financial sustainability and to avoid an oversupply of graduates in fields already experiencing labour market saturation.
“The approach is research-driven and evidence-based, with a focus on financial sustainability, prioritising fields aligned to skills needs, and assessing the overall impact of the funding model,” she said.
Priority skills areas will be reviewed in 2026 using updated skills supply and demand models, as existing frameworks expire at the end of 2025. This review will inform which qualifications are supported under the subsidy.
To prevent institutions from inflating fees in response to the programme, the ministry will initially cover only fees already in place during the first year of implementation.
“For the first year, government will only cover fees that are already in place. In the following year, institutions will undergo a cost assessment to determine standardised fees for degrees,” Steenkamp said.
She said government would not tolerate fee increases beyond established norms at either public or private institutions, as the programme is intended to ease pressure on families while maintaining affordability and quality.
The subsidised education programme will initially exclude newly enrolled postgraduate students, with support limited to those who already have contractual obligations under existing funding arrangements.
