Minister of Education Dr. Ismail Shafeeu has announced that 2,000 students will begin A'Level studies in public schools this year, reflecting a 77% increase compared to previous years. This surge is attributed to the lenient opportunities introduced by the government to expand access to higher education.
Speaking at the final session of the Top Achiever's Award 2023-2024 ceremony, Minister Shafeeu reaffirmed President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's priority of building a skilled and educated workforce, essential to the nation's economic growth. He highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to boost A Level enrollment, including amendments to entry criteria and the provision of broader opportunities for students. As a result of these initiatives, a record 2,000 students will be starting A Levels this year.
The minister also revealed that the government has decided to offer A Level opportunities to students across 23 public schools, depending on the schools' capacity. However, he noted a significant challenge—many students completing secondary education fail to meet the required academic standards for A Level studies. To address this, the government has lowered the entry standards, allowing students who pass only one or two subjects to pursue A Levels.
The government expressed optimism about this initiative, viewing it as an investment in developing youth skills and enhancing national productivity in the long run.