Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali has stated hiring teachers has become much easier following the changes brought to salaries of teachers.
Speaking at a press conference held ahead of the start of the new academic year, Education Minister Dr. Aishath Ali said salaries of all teachers have increased by an amount between USD250 - USD650, following the changes brought to teachers’ salaries in May. The minister revealed the improved salaries have made it much easier to acquire teachers to schools compared to before. She added former teachers who had switched to other professions are also expressing interest in rejoining the profession.
Speaking at the press conference, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education Ahmed Ali said hiring teachers and principals had been a challenging task prior to the revised salary structure, noting announcements had been issued to some positions three or four times due to lack of interested candidates. However, he said the revised salary structure has led to more people being interested in taking up teaching jobs, as indicated in the large number of applications received for the jobs. As such, he noted the announcement seeking 20 teachers for a new primary school in Hulhumale’ received 56 applications, while another six positions had received 39 applications. He added nine individuals have also applied for the position of school principal, all of whom are eligible candidates.
The changes to the pay structure of the education sector were first announced during the 2022 Presidential Address delivered by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the Parliament of the Maldives last February. The new pay structure is part of the government’s efforts to provide better wages for all in the workforce that contribute towards national progress.