Ministry of Finance has allocated USD 48.6 million US dollars in the State Budget 2020 for higher education opportunities in loans, scholarships and free first degree programme.
In the budget that has allocated the highest amounts for higher education opportunities in Maldives, USD 286.1 million has been allocated for the education sector, of which USD 246 million is recurrent expenditure. Scholarships and training opportunities has been allocated 21% of the budget while wages and other staff expenses accounts for 56% of the total budget allocated for education. Other recurrent expenditures include 23% of the allocated budget for the education sector.
Furthermore, the State Budget includes finances projects to convert schools in 104 islands to single session schools. The budget apportioned for infrastructure development is USD 21.4 million. The budget also includes USD 4.2 million and USD 3.5 million to construct the new building of Dharumavantha School in Male' and a new school in Hulhumale' respectively. A further USD 1.4 million has been allocated for the construction of the new 8-storey building of Centre for Higher Secondary Education (CHSE).
Meanwhile, Technical and Vocational Education Training Centres to be developed in Male' and Fuvahmulah City is allocated USD 1.7 million from the budget. The development of the medical school will cost USD 2.3 million, while the breakfast programme run in government schools, professional development programmes for teachers, development of educational technology and facilities have all been included in the State Budget for 2020.
The State Budget has been finalised with a focus on developing a fair and an effective system in providing social security for people, according to the finance ministry.