Ministry of Higher Education has decided to allocate a certain number of higher education loans for persons with disabilities.
The higher education ministry said the higher education loan scheme to be opened this year would include a special category for disabled persons. The ministry requested disabled persons interested in applying for these loans to ensure they are registered as disabled persons under Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services.
The higher education ministry further stated discussions are ongoing with the gender ministry to design special courses which can be undertaken by disabled persons. The ministry said the aim is to identify special skills and talents of persons with disabilities and help develop them.
As part of the government’s efforts to increase opportunities for disabled persons in the Maldives, Civil Service Commission (CSC) has also recently amended the Civil Service Regulations of the Maldives to enforce the allocation of certain civil service positions to persons with disabilities. The amended regulations also include special exemptions in granting leaves for disabled civil service employees.