Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azaan has requested Higher Education Minister Dr. Haidar Ali over financial difficulties faced by Maldivian students studying in Spain’s Barcelona under the government loan scheme.
Maldivian students informed financial difficulties faced by them via a letter to the Higher Education Ministry on February 22nd. The letter underscored difficulties faced by the students in obtaining visa and the lack of adequate stipend for expenses incurred for this as a result of which they are forced to spend from their pockets. They also conveyed difficulties faced by additional time required for the course, which exceeds the loan period.
A student who spoke with Sun last night said they have yet to receive a response from the Ministry regarding their complaints, nearly a month since the letter was sent.
Amid the ongoing issue, Azaan has requested to question Higher Education Minister Haidar regarding the complaints raised by the students. In this regard, he had requested that the Minister provide written answers to two questions.
The first question inquired the reasons behind the delays in depositing stipend funds and tuition fees. The second question inquired regarding the delays in responding to emails and letters sent by students.
Although the students had submitted the letter almost a month ago, it had only gone viral on social media recently. Subsequently, additional students had taken to social media to convey difficulties faced in receiving funds under the loan.
They have also expressed concern regarding the government-allocated stipend being inadequate to cover their expenses and often delayed as a result of which they are forced to spend from their pockets.
Sun’s efforts to obtain a comment from Minister Haidar and Higher Education Ministry regarding the issue have been unsuccessful.