Ministry of Higher Education has revealed that women have had the highest number of opportunities to study in higher education in the past four years. On the occasion of International Women's Day 2023, the higher education ministry published statistics on the number of free degree schemes, scholarships, and student loan schemes awarded in the past four years.
Statistics show that from 2019-2022, the government offered free degree opportunities to 16,917 individuals with 67% of them being women. During the period, scholarship opportunities were awarded to 538 individuals with 61% being women. As for student loans, the government has given loans to 1,387 individuals in the past four years with 42% being women.
The government is increasingly facilitating higher education opportunities in the Maldives and abroad. As such, the government opened 720 loan opportunities for the most demanding fields this year. In addition, scholarships from various countries, High Achievement Scholarships, and Presidential Special Scholarships are also being offered to students. In addition, free undergraduate studies at a government university are available while private colleges are also covered by the government. The government is also making efforts to build Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and junior colleges in various parts of the country.