Ministry of Education has instructed schools to destroy books and other items in school libraries that do not align with Islamic and Maldivian cultural values.

In a circular released on Wednesday, the Ministry ordered schools to ensure that all content available in their schools do not, in any way, contravene Islam and Maldivian cultural values.

The circular goes on to instruct schools to ensure that books and other material donated by private entities are suitable for consumption by students.

The ministry asked schools to notify them and collaboratively organize the destroying of any books found to be in contravention with the stated values.

It is unclear as of yet the exact guidelines to consider a book to be against these values.

There have been previous instances where some complaints have been raised regarding unislamic content in books in the possession of students or libraries. The previous administration faced criticism for their lack of response to such concerns.