Highest number of government funded scholarships issued this year: Minister

The highest number of government funded scholarships were issued to students this year, said Ministry of Higher Education.

These include the President's and high achievers scholarships. The President's scholarship is given to students who score 'A stars' in five subjects, while the high achiever's scholarship is given to students who score As in five subjects during their A levels.

Speaking with local media outlet Mihaaru, Higher Education Minister Mariyam Mariya said that a record number of these two scholarships were issued this year, making the most number of government scholarships in recent history of the country.

Figures show that 19 President's scholarships and 119 high achiever's scholarships were given out this year.

Many of these students have already started their tertiary education, while those who have not yet started have been given a duration to commence their studies, said Mariya.

The government has also facilitated the education of 1,987 students who applied for the free first degree programme. These students have already begun their classes.

This year 1,384 students were also issued student loans. However, only 582 students commenced their studies as of yet.

An additional 345 students also received scholarships under schemes, out of which 137 have started their studies.

There are currently over 20,000 students studying under these schemes, to which MVR 793 million has been issued in the past years.