President Solih Announces Salary Increments for Education Sector

President Solih has announced salary increments for the education sector workers in May.

President Solih announced the decision during his annual presidential address today. President Solih said that teachers carry one of the biggest responsibility of building a good generation and it was one of his pledges to grant a good wage for them.

“The decision would see a 56 percent increase in the salaries of graduate-level secondary school teachers from MVR 12,628 to MVR 19,740, excluding overtime.” 

Moreover, human resource development was at the core of the administration’s educational sector development, he noted that last year, training and development opportunities were provided to 4,082 teachers, and overseas postgraduate programmes were secured for 20 principals.

The President said that students from smaller islands should have the same rights and opportunities as others. He was referring to the introduction of satellite education, for the first time in the Maldives, which connects students on two islands—Fehendhoo Island of Baa Atoll and Thinadhoo Island of Vaavu Atoll—to the Satellite Hub Centre at Huravee School in Malé City. President Solih went on to say that today, parents’ worries and sacrifices to secure a decent education for their children are a thing of the past.

The administration launched its “Free Education Scheme for Degree Students” in February 2019, which has since enrolled 12,730 students. While 2,127 students have now completed their undergraduate studies through the programme, President Solih envisioned over 5,000 students doing so by the end of 2023. He added that any student with the commitment to pursuing their first degree would have the opportunity under his administration.

President Solih went on to note that, while another 1,500 students were granted student loans to pursue higher education overseas, the administration prioritised those that did not have the financial capabilities and those with special needs, every step of the way. The administration will be extending student loans to another 700 individuals next week.

The administration is also tireless in its efforts to train professionals in various fields, said the President, with loans granted to 124 students in an effort to increase the number of local doctors. This February, programmes would be launched to train 1,150 individuals in the information and communications technology and accounting sectors.

Across the country, projects are underway to significantly expand vocational training opportunities; a junior college is being developed in Dhihdhoo Island of Haa Alifu Atoll, while a TVET Centre development project is in progress in Alifushi Island of Raa Atoll. Projects to develop a junior college in Ken’dhikulhudhoo Island of Noonu Atoll and a polytechnic in Thulusdhoo Island of Kaafu Atoll were recently announced.

Furthermore, he also highlighted the infrastructure projects done and going on in the education sector. This includes 117 classrooms and 6 multi-purpose halls built-in 22 schools. Another 473 classrooms and 27 multi-purpose halls are being built in 55 schools across the country.