Notice for expulsion of students at Addu flying academy angers MP Rozaina

Meedhoo MP Rozaina Adam has expressed displeasure over Asian Academy of Aeronautics (AAA)’s treatment of its students.

AAA issued notices for expulsion of five students on Friday, in response to a petition filed by the students with the Higher Education Ministry alleging mismanagement resulting in delays in completion of their courses.

AAA later suspended the enforcement of the decision following pressure by the Transport Ministry.

“I strongly condemn the flying school run in Addu for issuing notices for expulsion of students who shared their concern over the affairs of the school with the authorities,” said Rozaina in a tweet on Sunday morning.

Rozaina told Sun that Transport Ministry ordering the AAA to reverse its decision to expel the students alone is not enough.

“The Higher Education Ministry has now taken action against the school. Now the Transport Ministry needs to take action against the school as well. The things with the flying school have gotten out of hand,” she said.

Rozaina said that students at AAA in constant state of fear, and that the issue requires a permanent solution.

She especially criticized the discrimination against Maldivian students.

The duration of pilot training course at AAA is between 12 to 18 months. Students are required to repay their loans within six months after the course duration, but the delays in the course sometime result in it dragging on to two or three years.

Rozaina criticzed AAA for failure to take responsibility for the delay in courses.

She said that Transport Minister Aishath Nahula will make a statement regarding the issue.

Rozaina had previously personally raised the issue with Higher Education Minister Dr. Ibrahim Hassan.

The Higher Education Ministry has deferred the repayment of loans taken by AAA students to address the challenges they face.

Higher Education Ministry has stated that audits by the Civil Aviation Authority on AAA in both April 2019 and October 2020 uncovered issues disrupting the education of the student.

Higher Education Ministry has instructed AAA to conduct courses responsibly and to maintain the quality of courses.