Dr. Ismail Shafeeu, the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Skills Development, stated today that his first priority upon taking over all matters related to higher education in the Maldives, following the merger of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, is to resolve the issue where students are left in a state of uncertainty and hopelessness, unsure of whom to contact.

Following the restructuring of the government's 20 ministries into 15, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu entrusted both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education to Education Minister Ismail last Tuesday.

In an interview with "Mihaaru" after taking charge of the new ministry, the Minister said that the biggest problem identified was the lack of responsiveness to phone calls when trying to resolve student issues. This has been the primary reason parents and students have reached their breaking point without finding a solution.

Students studying both in the Maldives and abroad under various loans and scholarships have been complaining for many days about unresolved issues.

Minister Ismail emphasized that his top priority is to assist students studying on scholarships and loans who are unable to contact the ministry or are left in the dark about their status.

"If we can provide answers to the students who need services in an easy manner and strengthen communication, it is believed that many things can be resolved. I am giving the highest priority to that," the Education Minister said.

"To put it briefly, the primary goal is to resolve the uncertainty in student matters—such as not knowing the status after requesting payments, not knowing the status after applying for a loan, or not getting a response when calling."

According to Ismail, he will not prioritize other matters of the ministry until these issues are resolved. There are currently more than 1,800 Maldivian students studying abroad under student loans and scholarships.