13 Aug 2020

Minister of Tertiary Education, Research Science and Technology, Dr Douglas Letsholathebe, says  government sponsored 168 students to undertake aviation training at International Aviation Solutions (IAS) from 2013.

He told Parliament on August 11 that  17 dropped from school and one died leaving 151 active students to date.

He said IAS trained students on piloting and skills in aviation, which helped the country to move towards a knowledge-based economy.

“Government has been sponsoring students over time to undertake training in piloting externally and of recent we have been doing it locally,” he said.

Dr Letsholathebe stated that upon completion of training, students were expected to have acquired Commercial Pilot License (CPL) that contented with Private Pilot License (PPL), Multi Engine Rating and Instrument Rating. However, the minister told Parliament that students did not complete training.

As such Dr Letsholathebe said they felt the need to engage students, the institution and Botswana Qualification Authority with a view to finding logical resolution to the matter.

He said on the basis of these, a decision to facilitate students to complete their outstanding modules was implemented last year September.

Furthermore, Dr Letsholathebe said this was yet put on hold pending consultations with other stakeholders in government and for due diligence to be undertaken.

“My ministry, through Department of Tertiary Education Financing, is currently working on the logistics of reposting students from IAS,” he said.

Minister Letsholathebe was responding to Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi, who had asked the minister to give an update on the progress made regarding re-posting of students who were studying at International Aviation Solutions which closed more than a year ago. ENDS