Education Ministry requests audit of Ahmadhiyya School

Ministry of Education has requested the Auditor General's Office to conduct an audit of the management and finances of Ahmadhiyya International School.

An official of the Audit Office confirmed to Mihaaru News that Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu has sent a letter requesting this audit on last Sunday.

The audit has been requested in response to some raising questions whether what was initially a 'ward' school can be operated as an international school, Mihaaru News reports.

Ahmadhiyya School was initially established as the designated ward school for Mahchangolhi Ward in Male'. Earlier, the Male' Municipality Office of the time had also contributed towards the management of this school. However, after the Male' City Council was established, there was confusion regarding who manages the school.

City Council, even at present, is involved in the affairs of Maafannu Madhrasa and Galolhu Madhrasa, two other ward schools.

The previous government also worked towards resolving the issues surrounding Ahmadhiyya School, Mihaaru News reports. However, the issue remains unresolved.

Although the government is not officially involved in the management of Ahmadhiyya School, the government continues to spend millions on exams of students of the school each year.

Additionally, as the school is located on a government owned land, the school does not pay rent. The government also pays the salaries of some teachers.

Despite this, students enrolled in the school are charged a fee.

Male' Mayor Adam Azim said that the council does not have any responsibilities in the administrative operations of the school. He said that the school is run on independent funding, but the council does extend some assistance where requested.

The school's board makes the day to day decisions concerning the running of the school. The Principal reports to the school's board.