Finance Ministry allocates N$2.5 million to programme for students with disabilities
The Namibian Students Financial Assistant Fund (NSFAF) launched a special funding programme for students with disabilities last week.
The Fund is a key initiative in partnership with the Office of the Vice President through the Department of Disability Affairs, in areas where they can add value and make significant impact in peoples lives and the Ministry of Finance has allocated an amount of N$2.5 million towards the programme.
Kennedy Kandume, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Fund said this is the second time that they are participating as a Fund by assisting students with disability and about 20 students are graduating this year in various fields of students.
“We believe that this funding initiative will increase access to inclusive quality education, therefore working with other institutions will improve social protection, empowering people with disabilities to get into higher education and ultimately securing employment,” he added.
According to Kandume this grant caters for various support such as braille material, wheel-chairs and other equipment that will aid individuals to undertake their studies with ease.
“We are grateful for the support provided by the Department of Disability Affairs in the Presidency under the Office of the Vice President for selecting these beneficiaries under their set criteria,” he added.
Hon. Alexia Manombe-Ncube, Deputy Minister of Disability Affairs said her ministry seeks to make the play field more even, to create equal opportunities for people with disabilities, to allow them to participate and be competitive in the labour market and to create independent living for themselves.
“The mission is to improve the quality of life through enhancing the dignity, well being and empowerment of persons with disabilities, which shall be done by enabling them to achieve the essentials of life that is, equality, full participation, independence and self determination,” she added.
She said this initiative is meant to ensure that persons with disability complete their tertiary education and thereafter participate fully in the job market.
“You can all believe that without education, persons with disability will be left behind and not participate fully in the socia-economic space of Namibia,” she concluded.
