Gov’t to Demolish Former Arabiyya School Building For Community Park And Parking Zone
Government to demolish Arabiyya School for park and parking | Photo: @aikey via X
The government has decided to demolish the former Arabiyya School building in Malé and redevelop the site into a community park and dedicated parking area.
According to the President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the Public Works Department is preparing to begin demolition of the structure, which occupies an 11,000-square-foot plot in the capital. He said the planned community park is intended to provide open space for children and parents from nearby schools, including Aminiya School and Iskandhar School, both of which cater to large student populations.
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The President stated that he aims to have the redevelopment completed before the start of Ramadan in February 2026 and has encouraged the public to share their views on the project.
The former Arabiyya School building has been at the centre of public debate for several years. In 2021, the Ministry of Education decided to temporarily relocate students to Izzuddin School after parents raised safety concerns over cracks in the structure. Parents initially resisted the move, and the government subsequently pledged to build a new purpose-built facility.
Students have since been accommodated in the former Dharumavantha School building. Construction of the new Arabiyya School is ongoing at a separate location near Maafannu Stadium, with completion scheduled for November 2026. The new 10-storey building will include 42 classrooms, a multipurpose hall, elevators and underground parking for more than 200 vehicles.
The old building was later used to house the Scout Association, a cadet office and storage facilities for the Ministry of Education. The Scout Association was required to vacate the premises before a new office was arranged, resulting in the closure of its shop. It has since relocated to the Filaa Building.
