President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the Maldives’ education system is being shaped to produce lasting, sustainable results.
He made the statement while addressing at a special ceremony held to mark the two-year anniversary of his government.
In his speech, the President highlighted the government’s achievements and ongoing efforts in the field of education and higher education. He noted that the pass percentage of students completing the tenth grade was low when his government assumed office. However, the proportion of students completing Grade 10 and continuing to higher secondary education has risen from 31 percent to 49 percent in the last two years, he said.
Noting the establishment of three pathways in the education sector, namely academic, work-based and vocational education, the President said plans are underway to increase the number of schools to increase the number of students pursuing Advanced Levels (A Level) after completing the Ordinary Level (O Level).
"We are working to establish the 12th grade as the school-leaving stage. Increasing the number of students studying A Level will increase the opportunities for higher education, which in turn will contribute to building an educated society as a whole” he explained.
The President added that next year, the Maldives’ primary grade students will participate in an international benchmarking test.
Speaking on ongoing development in the educational sector, the President said that 150 projects are currently being implemented including initiatives started by the previous administration. He noted that the largest number of school buildings under construction across the country are scheduled for completion to ensure that the buildings can be used for the next academic year.
Noting the government’s efforts to build local teaching capacity, the President said the government offered special incentives to 190 students to undergo teacher training. The outcome of such initiatives will be positive, he said.
In higher education, the President said that the Islamic University of Maldives (IUM) and the Maldives National University (MNU) campuses are being developed across the country. While MNU previously had four atoll campuses, 26 projects are currently underway, including 12 projects for IUM.
The President emphasised the government’s aim to expand higher education opportunities across the Maldives he said. Language schools will be established in three regions of the country to equip young people with language skills required for the tourism sector, he said. The language schools will be established in Kulhudhuffushi City, Addu City and Fonadhoo of Laamu Atoll.