Minister of Education Dr Ismail Shafeeu has announced that majority of students who complete their O-level examinations this year will be given the opportunity to pursue higher secondary education even if they do not have five subject passes, as long as schools have enrollment capacity. The Minister made the statement while speaking on Heyyanbo programme aired by Public Service Media’s Television Maldives.
Speaking on the programme, Minister Shafeeu noted that the government has made several efforts over the past 1.5 years to expand access to higher secondary education in the Maldives.
Until now, A-level study opportunities were only available for students that pass in five subjects in the O-level examinations. Citing statistics, the Minister said if 6,000 students sit the O-levels examination, only 50 percent pass five subjects, leaving the remaining 3,000 students unable to continue their education within the system.
The Minister said due to the requirement that students have to attain five O-levels passes to pursue A-levels, students who may perform exceptionally well in some subjects but fall short in others are not given the opportunity to continue on to A-levels.
The Minister said the government aims to adopt inclusive policies that do not exclude children, under which students are given the opportunity to contribute towards building the nation. By doing so, more opportunities will be available to students through the formal education system, as well as provide the opportunity to build the human resource potential of the country, he said.
“These children are just 16 years old, and children in the eyes of the law until they turn 18. Of these 16 years old children, 50 percent pass in five subjects and the remaining 3,000 students do not pass five subjects. The current education system sidelines these 3,000 students who do not pass. Our policy is to give these children a chance to contribute to nation building," he said.
More than 7,000 students are taking the O-level examination this year.