In a landmark move set to reshape the educational landscape of the Maldives, the Male' Vocational High School officially commenced classes for its first pioneering batch on Thursday.
The opening was commemorated with a special ceremony at the Maldives Polytechnic, graced by the Minister of Education, Dr Ismail Shafeeu.
The launch marks a significant milestone as it introduces the "Vocational Pathway" for the first time in Maldivian upper secondary education, offering specialised skills training under the formal structure of A-Levels. The new institution, run by the Maldives Polytechnic under the Ministry of Education, is hailed as a crucial government initiative to cultivate academically talented young minds and address previously limited post-secondary opportunities.
During his address, Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu emphasised the government's substantial investment in education, noting the previous constraints of traditional formal education pathways. He proudly announced a significant increase in higher education opportunities, from 31 percent to 49 percent , and underscored the Vocational Pathway as a "huge step" towards building a talented generation.
"The opportunity for higher secondary education has expanded greatly," he stated, adding that while 60 students have started, the aim is to provide opportunities for 500 children in the future.
Echoing this sentiment, Maldives Polytechnic CEO Zooshan Kamaludeen highlighted how this initiative effectively bridges the gap between formal education levels and higher education.
The inaugural batch of 60 students will receive specialised training across five high-demand programmes - Photography, Information Technology, Architecture, Electrical Engineering, and Small Business Management.
Zooshan also emphasised that these programmes are meticulously designed to include crucial workplace experiences, ensuring practical readiness for the students.