Petronella Sibeene
7 May 2008
Windhoek — With the first semester almost winding down, the University of Namibia (Unam) has set May 26 as the deadline for students with Government loans to settle at least 50 percent of their academic fees, failure of which they will be barred from writing examinations.
Student Representative Council (SRC) president, Tango Kandjaba, yesterday told New Era that the student body and the Unam finance department agreed that students registered using Government loan acknowledgement letters should settle the N$3800 in the next three weeks.
Initially, the university had set the deadline for March when the loan approvals were expected but after negotiations with the SRC, those who did not qualify for loans but made appeals were allowed to continue with their studies.
From May 26, the university will deregister the ±200 students on Government loans who owe the institution.
Response to the appeals is expected today, the SRC president said.
"Those who fail to qualify through appeal will be given three weeks to look for funds to pay up the N$3800 deposit and if not done by May 26, the students will not sit for the June examinations," stressed the SRC president.
First semester examinations are scheduled to commence on June 3.
Despite the uncertainties involved, Kandjaba said the SRC is happy with the finance department's approach regarding the matter, adding that the department has promised room for negotiation.
Meanwhile, Congress of Democrats (CoD) in a press release called on the Government to intervene and ensure that owing students are allowed to sit for their examinations.
Natjirikasorua Tjirera, the CoD spokesperson, said the barring of students from writing examinations is a self-defeating exercise, which compromises the foundation of building the future of Namibia.
"If Government can bail out Air Namibia year in and out, then for sure it should be able to bail out students. Students are the cream of society and the consideration of their future is of utmost significance," Tjirera added.
CoD further called on institutions of higher learning, namely the Polytechnic of Namibia and the University of Namibia to be tolerant of the students.
"They (institutions) have a responsibility of ensuring our society is an educated society," stressed the party spokesperson.
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