Minister Holds Talks with Pilot Students in Spain over Financial Concerns

Higher Education Minister Dr Ali Haidar has engaged with Maldivian pilot students currently studying in Spain under the government’s higher education loan scheme, amid growing concerns over the adequacy of financial support provided through the programme.

According to a statement from the Higher Education Ministry posted on X last Thursday, the Minister held an online meeting with the students on Wednesday, during which he listened to their concerns and requests. The Ministry stated that the Minister assured the students that efforts would be undertaken to provide an acceptable solution to some of the issues they had raised.

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The meeting followed a letter sent by approximately 30 Maldivian pilot students on 22 February, outlining several challenges they have encountered while pursuing their studies in Spain. Among the concerns highlighted were difficulties in obtaining visas and the lack of sufficient funds to cover associated expenses, leading many students to pay out of pocket.

The students also raised the issue of the loan period not covering the additional time required to complete their training. Furthermore, they said the government-provided stipend of USD 1,300 was inadequate to meet living expenses in Barcelona, where the average minimum cost of student accommodation alone is estimated at USD 1,300, with food and other costs continuing to rise.

Another key concern was that loan funds were disbursed in Maldivian Rufiyaa, complicating their ability to cover costs abroad. The students reported that their previous attempts to secure a meeting with the Minister had gone unanswered, prompting frustration over the lack of engagement.

Their letter came amid wider concerns about employment prospects for Maldivian pilots trained overseas. Last month, Transport Minister Mohamed Ameen noted that around 200 pilots who had studied abroad at considerable personal expense remained unemployed.

In response to such challenges, the government allocated only 10 slots for pilot training under the higher education loan scheme last year. The Higher Education Ministry defended the limited allocation, citing numerous complaints regarding the high loan amounts typically required for pilot training.

The Ministry has not yet announced specific measures in response to the students’ concerns raised during the latest meeting.