Africa-Press – Namibia. Students enrolled in an unaccredited auxiliary nursing programme at Atlantic Training Institute (ATI) have secured full tuition refunds and a pathway into the Enrolled Nursing Programme, following weeks of protests and pressure from the National African Students’ Association (NASA).
In a recent statement, NASA confirmed that ATI has agreed to provide full refunds to all affected students who choose to withdraw from the discontinued programme. Additionally, a verbal agreement has reportedly been reached between ATI and the Health Professions Council of Namibia (HPCNA), allowing students to join the June 2025 intake of the Enrolled Nursing Programme.
The resolution follows intense student-led demonstrations that began earlier this month when over 80 students staged a protest accusing ATI of offering a misleading and unaccredited programme.
Students claimed they were led to believe the auxiliary nursing course, which cost up to N$23 000, would serve as a bridging qualification toward further nursing education.
“This is more than a win; it is a statement,” said Isak Matheus, NASA’s Khomas regional chairperson. “We will not stand by while students are misled and exploited. Our mandate is clear: to advocate, protect, and fight for the dignity of every student in this country.”
The situation came to a head after the HPCNA responded to media enquiries, firmly denying ATI’s claim that the Council had stopped recognising auxiliary nursing qualifications.
Cornelius Weyulu, Registrar and CEO of the Council said, auxiliary nursing remains a legally recognised profession under the Health Professions Act of 2024. He stated that the council had never approved ATI’s auxiliary programme, and therefore could not recognise its students as legitimate nursing trainees.
“A person enrolled in an unapproved programme and not registered with the council for such purpose is not a nursing student in the eyes of the council,” Weyulu said in an official response.
Crossfire
For students like Veronesia Namene, the resolution brings some relief, but also lingering questions. “We were promised a stepping stone into enrolled nursing, but now we’re left with nothing,” she said. “The certificate we earned is not recognised anywhere.”
Other students reported incomplete learning materials, repeated modules, and lack of communication from the institution. Many say they feel financially exploited and emotionally abandoned, despite paying high tuition fees in good faith.
Self-medication
Nelvin Mureko, a part-owner and director at ATI, initially defended the programme and shifted blame to the council, claiming a recent policy change led to its non-recognition. “The problem is with the council, not with our institution,” he said at the time.
However, the council’s firm denial and legal clarification suggest ATI may have operated outside of approved regulatory frameworks, prompting further concern over the oversight of private educational institutions in Namibia.
As part of the resolution, NASA confirmed that ATI has officially discontinued the auxiliary nursing bridging programme, and committed to ensuring all refunds and enrolments are processed fairly.
NASA has called for a formal public apology from ATI, and pledged to monitor the implementation of the agreement. The student body also warned other institutions that any further acts of student exploitation would not be tolerated.
“We still hope that Atlantic Training Institute will do the needful, and offer the public apology they owe to the students,” said Matheus.
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