The new academic year is set to begin on 27 January, marking the first time schools will start in January following a four-year transition to a new academic calendar.
The shift culminates in a full-scale national preparations, with over 77,000 students expected to start the new academic year in 218 government schools, all of which have been equipped with the necessary textbooks and teaching staff.
This year’s start is particularly notable as it includes the inaugural classes at the first school developed by the current government, alongside the completion of several educational infrastructure.
Enrollment figures highlight ongoing demographic trends, with around 1,500 students having moved from the atolls to Male’ City. A total of 4,790 students have applied for Grade 1, with 3,042 applications originating from rural areas and 1,748 from schools in the Male’ area. Transfer requests also indicate a movement of 1,530 students from the provinces to Male’ area schools and 836 from Male’ to schools in Hulhumale’.
To facilitate the education of this large student body, a robust force of 10,500 teachers has been deployed nationwide. This contingent comprises 8,000 local educators and 2,500 foreign teachers, all of whom have been preparing their classrooms for the students' arrival.
“By the time school starts tomorrow, the Ministry of Education and the school environment are fully prepared to ensure that students' learning is not challenged,” Minister of Education Dr Ismail Shafeeu affirmed.
Minister Ismail Shafeeu also took the opportunity to praise the dedication of teachers and called for a whole-of-society effort to respect and honour their profession, encouraging parents to instill in their children a love and respect for their educators. The logistical groundwork for the school year, including the distribution of textbooks that began in December and a comprehensive teacher recruitment drive, has been finalised.
With the academic year now anchored in January, students will look forward to their main holiday, which is scheduled to begin on 17 December. The 2027 academic year is already set to commence on 17 January, solidifying the new educational calendar for the foreseeable future.