The government has decided to demolish the former Arabiyya School building and redevelop the site into a community park and parking zone, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu revealed on Tuesday evening.  
He said the Public Works Department is preparing to begin demolition of the building, which sits on an 11,000-square-foot plot in Male'. The President explained that the new park will provide space for children and parents from nearby schools, including Aminiya and Iskandhar, which both have large student populations.  
The President also added that he wants the project completed before the start of Ramadan in February 2026, and has asked the public to share their opinions on the redevelopment.  
Arabiyya School is being run in the temporary building made for Dharumavantha School. (Photo/Arabiyya School)
The Arabiyya School building has long been a subject of public debate. In late 2021, the Ministry of Education decided to temporarily relocate students to Izzuddin School after parents raised safety concerns, citing cracks in the structure. Parents resisted the move, and the government later pledged to construct a new purpose-built Arabiyya School building.  
Since then, students have been housed in the former Dharumavantha School building. Construction of the new Arabiyya School is underway on a separate plot near Maafannu Stadium, with completion scheduled for November 2026. The new facility will be a 10-storey modern school with 42 classrooms, multipurpose hall, elevators, and underground parking for over 200 vehicles.  
The old Arabiyya building, meanwhile, was repurposed to host the Scout Association, a cadet office, and storage for the Ministry of Education. However, the Scout Association was forced to vacate before a new office was arranged, leading to the closure of its shop. The association has since relocated to the Filaa Building.