Addu City, Maldives – Mayoral candidate of Addu City Ali Nizar has called out Asian Academy of Aeronautics (AAA) currently running a flying school in the city, stating that the school is managed like an orphanage in Sri Lanka.
Referring to the continued complaints of the students studying at the institution, Nizar stated that the AAA “devastated multiple local families financially and psychologically, while now accusing students as murderers as they fight for their rights and losses.”
Adding that there is only a limit for tolerance, he urged all relevant authorities to take necessary actions immediately to make AAA accountable for their actions and compensate all afflicted families.
This comes at a time when the Parliament of Maldives has passed a report by the Committee on National Development and Heritage which mandates the Asian Academy of Aeronautics (AAA) to compensate financial burdens placed upon the students due to the negligence of the flying school.
The report was complied after the members of the committee met with the management and students of the school in order to look into the issues raised by the students. The committee highlighted multiple issues after the visit to the academy, which was compiled into a report.
Some of the issues highlighted in the report detailed that the academy had many systematic issues with managing the educational establishment, due to which, many Maldivian students were unable to complete their studies in the promised timeframe, resulting in unnecessary expenses and losses faced by the students and their parents.
It was also reported that the school discriminated against local students in the school, and that instances of intimidation, harassment and unfair conduct was also identified.
In addition to this, it was stated that the school failed to follow through with the agreement made, and the information provided to the students during enrollment, which has caused the students to suffer adverse psychological and financial affects, for which the AAA must be held accountable for.
Referring to the responsibilities of the government authorities in regulating the services of the school, it was noted that it cannot be believed that the authorities carried out their relevant responsibilities accurately during this time.
.. and that Maldives Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) failed to act responsibly during the period between 2014 and 2018, during which students were faced with the most distress
The report by the Parliamentary Committee on National Development and Heritage read.
With this, it was stated that the committee does not believe that the AAA has enough resources and facilities to continue with a flying school properly, followed by the recommendations such as calling on to the government to take necessary measures to eliminated the hurdles hindering the education of the students at the establishment.
It was also suggested that the state ensure that the students are compensated for the loss of time and finances, as well as the psychological distresses the school has inflicted upon the students. This was followed by a call onto the government to ensure that necessary action is taken against the AAA and all those who have acted in negligence with regards to the matter.
The report further recommended that the state formulate better and more strengthened regulations and guidelines for any parties interested in establishing educational institutes in the Maldives.
In addition to this, the school’s complaints were filed with Maldives Police Service and the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), by the Ministry of Higher Education, for violation of set regulations in the country, in addition to the fine by the Civil Aviation Authority of Maldives for violation of maintenance standards.
However despite this, the government of Maldives is currently in discussions with the AAA to extend its contract for operating the school in Addu City, which is due to expire by the 31st of July, 2021.
