Government Spent Over MVR 301 Million on First Degree Scheme in 2024–2025

The Ministry of Higher Education spent more than MVR 301 million on the government’s First Degree Scheme during the 2024–2025 period, according to statistics released by the ministry.

The figures show that MVR 301,667,125 was spent across the two-year period, with MVR 151,302,259 allocated in 2025 alone. During the last academic year, 2,798 students joined the scheme, comprising 1,790 female students and 1,008 male students.

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A total of 3,286 students graduated under the scheme last year, including 2,181 women and 1,105 men. 

މި ވުޒާރާގެ ތަފާސް ހިސާބުތައް 2024 – 2025

ފުރަތަމަ ޑިގްރީ ސްކީމް#HigherEducation pic.twitter.com/iVMk2DBV2F— Min. of Higher Edu, Labour and Skills Development (@MoHEmv) January 12, 2026

For the combined 2024–2025 period, the ministry reported that 5,863 students enrolled in degree programmes under the scheme. Of these, 3,765 were female and 2,098 were male. During the same period, 6,640 students graduated, comprising of 4,370 women and 2,270 men.

As of now, 8,680 students are pursuing degree studies under the First Degree Scheme. The current cohort includes 5,486 female students and 3,194 male students.

The First Degree Scheme was introduced under the previous administration and allows Maldivians under the age of 50 to pursue a first degree at government expense. The programme aims to expand access to higher education by removing financial barriers, as well as working towards the goal to strengthen the national workforce by producing graduates in sectors with high labour demand.