WINDHOEK, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has officially launched the framework for implementing 100 percent subsidized tertiary education, fulfilling a policy promise to widen access and advance social equity, according to a statement by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture (MEIYSAC) on Monday.

Following President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's announcement on April 24, a Cabinet-approved Subsidized Tertiary Education Funding Model is now ready for implementation, MEIYSAC Minister Sanet Steenkamp said in the statement.

Steenkamp explained that while the core academic costs are fully subsidized, students remain responsible for non-tuition fees, which cover living expenses such as accommodation, meals, transport, and learning materials.

According to the minister, the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) offers needy students a non-tuition loan of 17,000 Namibian dollars (about 1,000 U.S. dollars) annually to lessen the financial burden on low-income families.

Meanwhile, the official announced that the policy, which was originally intended for public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training centers, has been expanded to include private institutions to ensure fairness and inclusivity throughout the sector.

To target financial aid more effectively, Steenkamp said the government is significantly reducing the combined parental or guardian income threshold for non-tuition loan eligibility from the current 500,000 to 100,000 Namibia dollars.

However, Steenkamp said that students pursuing second or higher qualifications at the same or lower level, as well as funding for repeating students at any level, will be discontinued, and non-Namibian citizens will not be eligible for funding. ■