Maldivian pilot students in Spain face urgent financial crisis
Currently, around 50 Maldivian students are enrolled in pilot training programs in Barcelona, studying under government student loans.
Maldivian students pursuing pilot training in Barcelona, Spain, are facing serious financial and visa-related challenges that threaten to derail their education.
If these pressing issues are not addressed urgently, many students may be forced to abandon their studies and return to the Maldives, leading to significant personal and national setbacks.
Currently, around 50 Maldivian students are enrolled in pilot training programmes in Barcelona, studying under government student loans. However, these students have reported numerous difficulties, including:
Visa Issues:
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Maldives does not have a Spanish embassy, forcing students to travel to India to process their visas.
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While the course requires an 18-month visa, some students only receive 16-month visas, leading to additional costs and complications.
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Delays in document processing from Delhi further contribute to visa duration inconsistencies.
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Renewing short-term visas costs approximately $2,000 per student, creating a significant financial burden.
Financial Challenges:
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The government stipend of $1,420 (MVR 21,896) is insufficient to cover living expenses in Spain.
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The student loan does not provide financial assistance for critical costs such as visa fees and insurance.
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Some students studying under government loans have been informed by their pilot schools that course fees are not being paid on time.
On January 22, the affected students formally addressed these concerns in a letter to the Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Ali Haidhar. However, as of now, they have received no response, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and distress.
Ahsan Nazim, speaking on behalf of the students, emphasised the gravity of the situation:
"If these issues are not resolved, then there will be no other choice but to drop out and return to Maldives. We want these issues to be resolved as soon as possible,” he said.
Given the significant investment already made in these students’ education, allowing them to drop out due to avoidable financial constraints would be a great loss for both the students and the Maldives as a whole.
The students have formally requested a top-up loan to prevent interruptions in their studies. Additionally, there is an urgent need for the government to work on a long-term solution for Maldivian students studying in Spain, such as negotiating visa agreements and ensuring timely disbursement of loan funds.
