More than 1,000 students will sit the May/June A-level examinations in the Maldives this year, marking the first time the exams are being held locally for private candidates.
The Ministry of Education said 1,229 students have registered for the exams, which begins May 6 and will run until June.
The opportunity for private candidates to sit the exams in Maldives was opened in February 2, by the Department of Public Examinations (DPE), following longstanding concerns over the cost of travelling abroad.
Previously, students taking A-levels privately during the May/June session had to travel to Sri Lanka. This not only imposed significant financial burdens, but also meant those unable to afford the costs missed out on national top-10 rankings and related scholarship opportunities.
The largest number of candidates are from the Male' area, with 916 students registered. Other major centres include Addu’s Hithadhoo with 147 students and 27 from Fuvahmulah City.
Additional exam centres set up:
- Haa Alifu Ihavandhoo: 15 students
- Haa Dhaalu Kulhudhuffushi: 11 students
- Shaviyani Milandhoo: 17 students
- Raa Meedhoo: 2 students
- Baa Eydhafushi: 23 students
- Lhaviyani Naifaru: 14 students
- Faafu Nilandhoo: 12 students
- Dhaalu Kudahuvadhoo: 2 students
- Laamu Gan: 25 students
- Gaafu Dhaalu Thinadhoo: 18 students
The move comes six years after changes to the academic calendar in 2020 led many private candidates to seek examination opportunities overseas, particularly in Sri Lanka.
The ministry said holding the exams locally is expected to ease financial pressures on students while expanding access to higher education opportunities.
