The Australian Federation of International Students (AFIS) demands an explanation from the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET), for rejecting a proposal that would have allowed Meridian students who were two weeks away from graduation to complete their studies.

The group that ran the Meridian schools, Global Campus Management, went into voluntary administration last week, causing the schools to close mid-lesson. ACPET is in charge of transferring students to other colleges offering similar courses.

The students, many of whom were set to complete their studies within two weeks, were thrown into disarray. Although they will be transferred to other schools, this may cost the students months in time and thousands of dollars in living expenses.

“The sudden closure of the colleges means that students who are days away from finishing their courses are left stranded, forced to wait until after the break before being able to complete their final assessments, said Wesa Chau, AFIS Honorary President.

Yesterday, the National Union of Students called for the State Governments of New South Wales and Victoria to pay for fourteen days of wages that would allow the students to complete this term of study. AFIS supported the NUS’ call as being in the best interest of the students.

A number of Meridian staff members were reported as having kindly offered to voluntarily run the courses for 14 days, so that students will be able to complete the remaining two weeks of the year. However, this proposal has been rejected by ACPET.

“It is plain shocking and disheartening to learn that ACPET rejected the proposal from former Meridian staff members to voluntarily run the final weeks of the term. It is outrageous, especially when the NUS has been working hard in calling for Governments to contribute towards the staffs’ wages” she said.

“We demand an explanation!” she concluded.