Education
With the commencement of Higher Secondary (A-Level) examinations in the Maldives, various parties have been extending best wishes to the students. To grant university status to private colleges that have been operating continuously for the past 15 years, the Ministry of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development has gazetted the "Regulations on Registration and Operation of Universities in the Maldives," including conditions such as having 1,000 students at MNQF Level 7 or above and having 10% of staff holding PhDs. To train Maldivian pilots, the Maldives Civil Aviation Authority granted Approved Training Organisation (ATO 017) approval to the Aviation Career Center (ACC) in Maribor, Slovenia, on September 20. Furthermore, regarding the issue where 1,181,763 Rufiyaa was paid to a private company to develop a "Virtual Office Application" for the Ministry of Higher Education but no work was completed and the application remained unusable, the Auditor General's report directed that action be taken against negligent parties and that the funds be recovered.
As the A-Level examinations for students completing higher secondary education have officially commenced, best wishes have been sent to all participating students. While a large number of students from various schools and centers across the Maldives are taking this important examination, encouragement has been offered and congratulations extended wishing them proud success. Alongside supporting the efforts made by students to overcome this crucial stage of higher education, arrangements have been fully finalized to conduct all examination proceedings safely and smoothly.
An audit report has highlighted an issue where the Ministry of Higher Education spent over one million Rufiyaa on a non-existent mobile application. The report issued by the Audit Office stated that this money from the state budget was spent on an app that is practically unusable and does not even exist. In addition, it urged that matters carried out in violation of state public finance regulations in connection with this issue be investigated and action taken.
Policies have been established and a special system arranged allowing private colleges that have been continuously operating in the Maldives for 15 years to transition into universities. Under this change, institutions that have operated as a college for 15 years, maintain higher education standards, and possess the capability to conduct bachelor's and master's level programs will have the opportunity to upgrade to university status. The primary objective of this is to expand higher education opportunities in the Maldives and facilitate self-accreditation in research and academic fields. Following this decision, private institutions providing higher education in the country will see further advancement and pathways opened to expand their educational services on both national and international levels.
Official approval to train Maldivian pilots was granted by an aviation center in Slovenia on 27 September 2026. This is an important opportunity to train technically capable pilots needed for the aviation sector of the Maldives at an international standard. Due to this authorization, the path for Maldivian youth to advance in the aviation sector with Slovenia's high-quality facilities will be further facilitated. Additionally, this will greatly assist in enhancing the technical skills and experience of Maldivian pilots and further strengthening the country's aviation industry.