Ministry of Higher Education has decided to take action against Addu Flying School over its failure to maintain the standards of a higher educational institution.
In a statement released on October 22, the higher education ministry stated it decided to take action against Addu Flying School based on the issues identified in the audits conducted by the Civil Aviation Authority in April 2019 and October 2020. The ministry noted the issues identified in the earlier audit were directly related to the students and yet the issues had not been corrected by the time the second audit was carried out this month. Therefore, the ministry said action will be taken against Addu Flying School in accordance to the regulations on registering and operating higher educational institutions in the Maldives.
The higher education ministry has asked Addu Flying School to prepare an individual education plan for all students enrolled in the school indicating the date of completion of the course. The plan is required to be submitted to the ministry within 20 days, starting from October 22.
The higher education ministry said the plan submitted by the Addu Flying School will be shared and discussed with the relevant authorities to ensure it can be implemented. The ministry noted no additional students can be enrolled until the plan is fully implemented and the programmes undertaken by the current students are completed.
Furthermore, the higher education ministry has instructed the school to change its operations from 3 days a week to 5 days a week, and to prepare a clear and precise schedule to enable students to take part in examinations and complete their studies. The ministry has also instructed the school to resolve any issues related to faulty aircrafts without imposing additional fees on students and without hindering the progress of the course. The ministry has also asked the school to charge its fees in Maldivian Rufiyaa rather than US Dollars, noting its current practice of charging fees in US Dollars goes against the monetary regulations.
The higher education ministry’s decision to take action against Addu Flying School has come after several students of the school raised concerns over the extended delays in completing its courses and the school’s failure to provide a completion date for the course. Students of Addu Flying School have raised the issue with all relevant state authorities.
Addu Flying School, which is operated under the name Asian Academy of Aeronautics, is located in Gan International Airport in Addu City. The school is registered under the Ministry of Higher Education, and its operations are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Maldives.