The newly constructed international school on the northernmost Haa Alifu atoll Hoarafushi, will open in August, just in time for the start of the new academic year, the Island Council has announced.
The school was constructed this year with the assistance of the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), along with contributions from various other businesses.
Speaking with Mihaaru news, the Island Council President, Mohamed Waheed, said that lessons will begin with the upcoming academic year.
The school, which has been named 'Cambridge International School,' will only teach preschool when it first opens. For each classroom, 20 children can be allocated, Waheed said.
He said that the foundation of the school building was laid to allow additional classrooms to be built. He also said that primary and secondary grades would be taught at the school soon.
Currently, the school features a playground, a warehouse, bathrooms for students, three classrooms, a principal's room, a staff room, and a reception area.
According to the council, the objective of operating an international school on the island is to give local students an opportunity to receive a contemporary education at the level of the world's top educational systems, in a modern facility.
An announcement was made earlier seeking parties to operate the school. According to the announcement, the minimum term for running the school was five years, while the maximum term was fifteen years. The council had said that the school facilities would be handed over to the successful bidder for an agreed-upon period of time without taking any rent in an effort to reduce the fees charged to the students. However, the council did not disclose any information regarding the bid that was announced.