Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr Maryam Mariya has said that the free degree program introduced by the previous government is a good initiative, but it needs some changes to fit in with the times.
Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr Maryam Mariya has said that the free degree program introduced by the previous government is a good initiative, but it needs some changes to fit in with the times.
Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office, the Minister said that they are currently working on revising the related polices to make it skills-based so that it is more appropriate for the 21st century.
The minister was asked about her views on this program in relation to comments made by MPs during a debate in parliament in July.
At the time, Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau had described the free degree program as 'a large-scale scam'.
The Minister, meanwhile, said that there are no intentions to halt free first degree programs for students, but added that a number of changes will be brought to the procedures on granting funding for studies.
She said that over MVR 115 million had been spent on students pursuing their first degrees in Maldives this year. As the policy stands now, funding for the degree gets full coverage only at the two government universities, Islamic University of Maldives and Maldives National University. Degree courses at private institutions are also covered to a set percentage of the total costs.
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