With the impact of the Covid-19 on the Aviation industry, the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria says it has no intention of increasing school fees.
This is just as the college says it is working frantically to resume training in line with the guidelines as issued by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, for ATO’s restart.
Rector of NCAT, Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed at a virtual meeting with the theme: ‘Impact of COVID-19 on Aviation Training in Africa’ organized by Young African Aviation Professional Association, YAAPA, said the college do not envisage any increase in school fees for now.
He called for the introduction of student loan facility like it is done in European countries to make aviation training affordable and accessible to students who were not buoyant enough to pay for their training.
Capt. Abdulsalami stated that the Federal government, States government, Airlines and CAA’s of other countries have been assisting students with scholarships to train in the college, adding that the training of the next generation of aviation professionals was key in anticipation of the growth in demand for air travel in not too far future.
The NCAT boss urged the Corporate world to join in the training of the youths, adding that the college has all the facilities for training and replete with qualified and experienced instructors to handle all the courses the college offers.
He said in 2 and a half years from now as forecast by international aviation bodies, when the industry recovers from the covid-19 impact, there would be sharp demand for skilled manpower.
According to him, prospective students should not cancel their plans to train, adding that as at the time they are graduating that is when the market,” will be opening up.”
On the reopening of the college for training after over 3 months of shut down, the Rector said, they had implemented all the covid-19 guidelines by the NCAA, but was waiting for a team from the authority to access what they had done and give them the approval to restart training.
Capt. Abdulsalami explained that on resumption of training, use of facemasks by staff, students and visitors would be enforced as well as physical distancing in the classrooms, hostels and cafeteria.
“There will be new procedures for pilots when they train in groups,there will 20 students per class for social distancing.”
The NCAT Rector also noted that since the lockdown, students training had not stopped as virtual learning had been ongoing, adding that the focus was more on knowledge based courses.
“Management agreed to commence virtual learning, not all subjects can be taught virtually because some involve practicals.”
Capt. Abdulsalami emphasized that as part of measures to cut down on the number of students on campus, online training maybe adopted on the long term when the college reopens but this would be deliberated on before the decision is taken.
