Maldivian Students Struggle as Gov’t Fails to Provide Loan Payments

MV+ News Desk | March 18, 2025
Photo: The President’s Office

Maldivian students undertaking pilot training in Barcelona, Spain, are facing significant financial and visa-related difficulties that threaten to disrupt their education. 

Over 50 Maldivian students are currently enrolled in pilot training programmes in Barcelona under the government student loan scheme. However, they have reported a range of issues affecting their ability to continue their education. If these challenges are not addressed promptly, many students may be forced to abandon their studies and return to the Maldives, resulting in personal and national setbacks.

Visa Complications

The absence of a Spanish embassy in the Maldives requires students to travel to India to process their visas, adding to their expenses and logistical difficulties. While their courses require an 18-month visa, some students have only been granted 16-month visas, leading to additional costs and complications. Delays in document processing from Delhi have further contributed to inconsistencies in visa durations.

Renewing these short-term visas costs over USD 2,000 per student, creating a significant financial burden on those already struggling to meet their expenses.

Financial Struggles

The government stipend of USD 1,420 (MVR 21,896) is insufficient to cover living costs in Spain. Additionally, the student loan does not cover essential expenses such as visa fees and insurance. Some students have also reported that their pilot schools have not received timely tuition payments from the government, causing further uncertainty.

On 22 January, the affected students formally raised their concerns in a letter to the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed. However, nearly a month later, they have yet to receive a response, leaving them in a state of distress.

Ahsan Nazim, speaking on behalf of the students, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stressing that without immediate action, students would have no choice but to return to the Maldives.

Recognising the substantial investment already made in their training, the students have formally requested a top-up loan to prevent interruptions in their studies. They have also urged the government to establish long-term solutions, such as negotiating visa agreements and ensuring timely disbursement of loan funds.

Parliamentary Inquiry

Central Hithadhoo MP Ahmed Azaan has raised concerns regarding the financial struggles faced by Maldivian students in Spain. He has formally requested that the Higher Education Minister Haidar provide written answers to two key questions: the reasons for delays in depositing stipend funds and tuition fees, and the delays in responding to students’ emails and letters.

Although the students’ complaints were first raised in a letter to the ministry, the issue gained wider attention only after it went viral on social media. Following this, more students came forward with similar concerns regarding delays in receiving funds and the inadequacy of the stipend.

Loan Programme Delay

There is growing concern among students over the government’s failure to launch new student loan programmes since the current administration took office. The last such programme was initiated under the previous government.

With financial and administrative difficulties mounting, students are calling for urgent government intervention to prevent their studies from being disrupted.

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