Government has plans to build around seven schools in Hulhumale’ to address the placement shortages despite the increasing demand in the greater Male’ area, the Ministry of Education has said.
Speaking to PSM News ahead of the start of the new academic year, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Shifaz Mohamed said that more than 1,300 students have requested to transfer to school, adding that more than half are seeking placement in schools in the greater Male’ area.
More than 5,700 students are entering grade one for the new academic year, while more than 2,200 students have been admitted to schools in the Male’ area alone, he said.
Shifaz attributed the increasing demand for placements in Hulhumale’ schools to the rising relocations of families to the reclaimed suburb.
Noting that the Ministry has always given priority to place students in their area of residence, he alluded to the government’s plan to meet the ever increasing demand in Hulhumale’.
According to Shifaz, the construction of two new schools in Hulhumale’ will begin this year while the new school currently under construction in Hulhumale’ Phase II will be completed by the end of this year. In addition, work is underway to build an extension to an existing school in Hulhumale’ this year, he added.
"As pledged by the President [Dr Mohamed Muizzu], two new schools will be built in Hulhumale' this year. One in Phase I and one in Phase II. Construction will commence this year. And we are planning to begin construction of more schools as soon as possible. According to our plan, we are looking to construct five or seven schools in Hulhumale',” the Permanent Secretary explained.
Shifaz said that with the new schools in Hulhumale’, the government will be able to cater to the demand for placements by the start of the academic year in 2027.