Entry criteria revised to expand A Level enrolment

The entry criteria for A Levels (Grades 11 and 12) have been revised to broaden access and give more students the opportunity to pursue A Level studies.

A circular from the Ministry of Education outlines three admission pathways: the academic stream, vocational education in schools, and the workplace apprenticeship program.

Each of these pathways has its own specific admission requirements.

A student may be enrolled to the A Level academic stream through any one of the following pathways:

- O Level in Dhivehi or Islam, with at least a grade C in four subjects, including two other subjects of the student's choice.

- O Level passes in Dhivehi or Islam and Mathematics, with at least a grade C in two subjects from one stream (Science, Business, or Arts).

- O Level in Dhivehi or Islam, with at least a grade C in two subjects from a single stream (Science, Business, or Arts), plus a grade C in one optional subject related to the chosen field of study.

- At least a grade C in Mathematics or English, with grade C in two subjects from any one stream (Science, Business, or Arts).

- A minimum grade C in Mathematics, with at least one grade C in a stream subject (Science, Business, or Arts), and one grade C in an optional subject related to that stream.

- Individual Curriculum Plan (ICP) O Level students must have completed O Level and obtained grade C in any two subjects.

Admission to these programs requires one of the following:

- Completion of the Pearson BTEC International Level 2 Diploma, or

- At least a "Pass" in the School TVET course, or

- A minimum grade C in any three O Level subjects.

Ministry of Education will determine the eligibility of ICP graduates who wish to pursue the Academic Stream, Pearson BTEC International Level 3 Diploma, Extended Diploma, School TVET Course, or Workplace Learning Apprenticeship Program.

The Ministry also stated that results from SSC, IGCSE, A Levels, and BTEC will be taken into consideration for admission.

Eligibility is limited to students who are under 18 years of age as of December 31 this year.

Ministry of Education stated that some schools in the atolls now offer A Level programs, and students who do not meet the standard entry requirements may still be granted admission with special approval from the Ministry.

The government is actively working to increase the number of students enrolled in A Levels. As part of this effort, several key initiatives have been implemented: - The reopening of the long-standing A Level institution, CHSE (Centre for Higher Secondary Education) building.

- Introduction of A Level programs in 23 schools that previously offered only O Level education, starting this year.