MP calls on parliament to resolve Issues faced by pilot students in Spain
Mohamed Ibrahim noted that some students had not received their loan payments and had been expelled from their courses as a result.
Top Stories
-
Serious crime suspects can't be released 'in 5 mins': President
-
Police identify 5 arrested in Addu in major drug network bust
-
Govt may allow return of 1-bedroom flats for reapplication: Pres
-
President says many public requests addressed, more under review
-
‘Drug café’ owners could face 15 years in jail, million-MVR fines
Galolhu North MP Mohamed Ibrahim has once again urged the Parliament to address the difficulties faced by Maldivian students studying piloting in Spain under the government loan scheme.
On 15 April, Mohamed Ibrahim submitted a petition to Parliament on behalf of students enrolled at ES Barcelona and Flyby Aviation Academy. The students are facing delays in the payment of their course fees through the government-sponsored student loan scheme.
In a letter submitted again on Tuesday to Parliament Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdulla, Mohamed Ibrahim noted that some students had not received their loan payments and had been expelled from their courses as a result.
According to the letter, the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed, had held an online meeting with the students in May last year, during which he acknowledged the issues and assured them that efforts would be made to resolve their concerns and provide regular updates. However, the letter claims that no progress has been made since then.
The letter states:
-
None of the assurances given by the minister have materialised.
-
There has been no communication regarding new or top-up loans.
-
As the new academic year begins, students remain without answers, resulting in delays in their studies.
-
The increase in the euro exchange rate has worsened the situation.
-
Payments made using the Bank of Maldives card incur an additional 10% charge for non-dollar transactions.
-
Some students have been expelled due to non-payment of fees, with no action taken to address their situation.
The letter notes that failure by Parliament to intervene and find a resolution will affect its credibility. It also describes the ongoing inaction as irresponsible, leaving students in a state of uncertainty.
Mohamed Ibrahim has requested that a relevant parliamentary committee investigate the matter and find a resolution without further delay.
Currently, around 50 Maldivian students are pursuing pilot training in Barcelona through the government loan scheme. In March last year, these students submitted a letter to the minister outlining their concerns.
At the time, several students told Atoll Times that, without timely intervention, they may be forced to discontinue their training and return to the Maldives. The students also said that their flight schools had informed them that some of the government-sponsored students were not receiving their course fees.
