FACT-CHECK: Was Reverting The Academic Year Damaging To Students?

The recent decision by President Muizzu to revert the commencement of the academic year in Maldives to January 2026 has been met with both support and scepticism. Amidst the debate surrounding this policy change, it is essential to fact-check the claims put forth by stakeholders and examine the realities on the ground. 

Claim 1: Financial Difficulties, Disparities In Graduation Timelines And Concerns From The Tourism Industry

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In 2021 – prompted by the COVID19 pandemic – the previous government shifted the start of the academic year to August. Since taking office, President Dr. Muizzu has revealed that starting the academic year revert back to January from 2026 onwards.

Education Minister Dr Ismail Shafeeu has cited financial constraints and disparities in graduation timelines as primary motivations for the change in the academic year format.

The Minister made the remark recently while addressing the community of Th.Veymandhoo Island, during President Dr. Muizzu’s three-day visit to the atoll. According to Minister Shafeeu, the ongoing mid-year commencement of the academic calendar has resulted in various challenges, including a six-month delay in graduation for O’level and A’level students compared to their international counterparts.

Minister Shafi also highlighted the financial strain caused by the previous academic calendar shift, which resulted in a loss of MVR 1.7 billion to the state; this cost includes teacher salaries and infrastructural changes.

As such, resort employees have raised concerns about the reversal, as the mid-year start was originally implemented to align with the interests of the tourism industry. They contend that the proposed reversal will interfere with the peak season of the European winter months, when tourist arrival to the Maldives is at its highest.

In response, Muizzu proposed to add a four-week mid-term break during the June-July period and transfer the main 1.5 month-long holiday to December.

Despite the concerns about financial difficulties and parent’s work schedules, the question remains: what is the best academic year format for student’s well-being and academic performance? 

Fact-Check: Neutral

Other countries like Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand embrace a calendar-year start, commencing their academic years in January or February. Proponents argue that this aligns education with other aspects of life, making transitions smoother for students and families. Additionally, a January start may facilitate better weather conditions for learning in certain regions, avoiding extreme temperatures or weather disruptions.

In contrast, aligning the start of the academic year with tourism seasons, to accommodate parents working in the tourism sector raises several points for consideration.

Firstly, by synchronizing the school year with the peak tourist influx, parents working in the sector would have the opportunity to spend quality time with their children without the worry of work commitments conflicting with family time. 

Secondly, it could be advantageous for the Maldivian economy. As tourism is a significant contributor to the country’s GDP, ensuring that parents can work during peak times without disruptions due to their children’s schooling commitments could lead to increased productivity and economic growth.

However, there are several potential drawbacks to consider. One concern is the impact on the education system and students’ academic progress. Adjusting the academic calendar solely based on tourism considerations may disrupt the continuity of learning and affect students’ educational outcomes. Additionally, it could create inconsistencies in educational standards if the academic year start date is determined by external factors rather than educational priorities.

Furthermore, aligning the academic year with tourism seasons may not be feasible for all stakeholders. While it may benefit families directly involved in the tourism industry, it could create challenges for other sectors or families whose livelihoods are not tied to tourism. 

Scientific Evidence: 

Research on the effectiveness of different academic year start times is mixed and often context-dependent. While some studies suggest that a calendar-year start may lead to better academic performance and reduced learning loss, others find no significant difference between calendar-year and mid-year start times.

A 2015 study published in the Economics of Education Review found that starting the school year later in the calendar was associated with higher test scores in mathematics and reading among primary school students in the United States. However, this effect varied by demographic factors and was not universally applicable across all student populations.

Similarly, a 2017 study published in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management found that a later school start date was associated with modest improvements in student performance in the United States. However, the researchers cautioned that these effects were relatively small and may not outweigh other considerations, such as logistical challenges or community preferences.

Addressing Root Causes of Educational Inefficiency

At the heart of this debate lies the sobering findings of a recent study conducted by the World Bank, which revealed alarming deficiencies in the Maldives’ education sector. According to the Human Capital Index (HCI), a measure of a country’s investment in its people, Maldives ranks below its regional counterparts, with a significant portion of its human capital potential left untapped. Perhaps most concerning is the revelation that four years of the twelve-year education cycle are squandered due to poor teaching and inadequate learning environments. This assessment underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reform in Maldivian education.

As such, the proposed change in the academic year format falls short of addressing the root causes of educational inefficiency, as highlighted in the World Bank report, such as teacher quality, curriculum relevance, and resource allocation.