President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated the administration is focused on producing intellectually capable, physically skilled and responsible citizens.
The president made the remarks speaking after officially inaugurating Izzuddin School, and expressed his best wishes to students across the country as they commence the new academic year. President Solih described the opening of Izzuddin School as a new chapter in forwarding the single-session schooling policy of the administration. The president stressed the new school paves way to provide holistic education and a conducive environment for students. Noting the new school was a positive development for the education sector, he expressed hope Izzuddin School would further advance the education sector.
President Solih also stressed the aim of the administration to develop the education sector further. In this regard, the president noted a record budget had been earmarked this year. The administration has allocated 12% of the state budget, which amounts to USD 285 million, for the education sector.
Breaking down the numbers, the president noted USD 21.35 million would be spent on infrastructure development, while USD 4.2 million was earmarked for the development of the new building of Dharumavantha School and another USD 3.5 million set aside to build a new school building in Hulhumale’. He further shed light on the contributions of the private sector in education development and thanked them for their service.
Addressing the students, President Solih urged them to be compassionate and respectful of each other and be affectionate and fraternal. He also appealed to them to listen, respect and follow the unsolicited advice of their parents and teachers.
Continuing further, President Solih spoke about some of the achievements made over the past year, describing it as one where significant accomplishments were made in the education sector. In this note, the president highlighted that over 5,590 students had enrolled in higher education programmes under the free education scheme for degree students.
Another milestone he highlighted was the policy to provide financial assistance to students undertaking higher education abroad, reducing the interest rates of student loans by 3%, and increasing the payback period of the loans by 25%.
Vice President Faisal Naseem also attended the opening ceremony of the new school which can accommodate 450 students and teaches up to the sixth grade. It becomes the 212th public school in the country.