Sessions to be added if Hulhumale’ school goes over capacity

Minister of Education Dr Ismail Shafeeu said yesterday that an additional session will be introduced at the new Shaheed Ali School in Hulhumalé Phase II if student applications exceed the school’s capacity.

The school initially decided to only have one session upon the beginning of the new academic year on 27th January.

The school has a 1,500 student capacity with one school session. The ministry has stated in the past that if the school, which will be teaching students from Grade 1 to Grade 10, has students applying beyond its capacity, then they would change class timings to two sessions in order to accommodate them.

Minister Ismail stated that as of now, 1,500 students have been given the opportunity to join the school.

While emphasizing that the opening of the school would lighten the load on students and parents who live in Hulhumale' Phase 2, the minister said that an estimated 1,800 students would change to the new school.

"We have not decided to change school class times to two sessions as of yet. We will make that decision after seeing how many students request to study at the school. We will accommodate students even if we have to include an extra session," said Ismail.

The Education Ministry stated that the school has 54 classrooms with a capacity for 32 students and three elevators with a 20-person capacity, along with all classrooms airconditioned. The electricity for the school will be created by solar energy.

Once the school has been completed, it will have the largest school library, auditorium, hall and staff canteen in the Male' region.

While the number of students who want to attend Shaheed Ali School have increased, the finishing touches are being done on the 17 to 18 floor Fahi Dhiriulhun towers, of which total 32. Tenants are now living in said flats.

The ministry has said in the past that with the completion of the flats and with more people moving in to live in Hulhumale' Phase 2, Hulhumale' alone needs seven schools in order to accommodate the increase in school students.