Education directors advocate for optional N$10 school admission fee

Education directors are calling for the N$10 school admission application fee to be optional, citing concerns that some parents may struggle to afford it. This comes despite the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts, and Culture allowing schools to charge up to N$10 for administrative costs related to admission forms for the 2027 school year. Kunene education director Sophia Fredericks stated that the fee should be optional, especially for parents with multiple children, and emphasized that paying the fee does not guarantee admission. Hardap education director Paul Lewin stressed that children should not be denied education due to the N$10 fee and that parents unable to pay should still be allowed to apply. Khomas regional education director Paulus Nghikembua urged the public to report schools charging more than the approved amount. While some schools in Windhoek, such as Windhoek High School, Immanuel Shifidi Secondary School, and Eros Primary School, are charging within the N$10 limit, some private schools are reportedly charging N$100 for an application. The ministry's executive director Erastus Haitengela advised reporting schools charging excessive fees to circuit inspectors or regional directors.