Presidential Scholarship Rule Revised to Restore Student Choice

The Higher Education Ministry has reversed a recent restriction on the Presidential Scholarship, restoring students’ ability to pursue studies in any field of their choice.

The ministry had issued an amendment late on Sunday stating that the scholarship would only be awarded for fields listed in the national Training Needs Requirement List. However, at 11:24 pm on Monday, a revised version of the regulation was gazetted, removing the limitation less than a day after it was introduced.

Under the updated rule, students who receive the Presidential Scholarship are no longer confined to specific fields and may choose their preferred area of study.

The criteria for eligibility remain tied to academic performance. The scholarship will be awarded to students who achieve first-class results in higher secondary examinations, defined as obtaining A* grades in three A-Level subjects, or securing A* in all subjects required by the Education Ministry in the student’s chosen stream in the Shahadha Secondary School examination, along with Dhivehi language.

The ministry has also amended the criteria for the High Achievers Scholarship. It will now be granted to students who obtain at least one A* at A-Level.

The earlier changes to the High Achievers Scholarship drew criticism from former Education Minister Dr Aishath Ali, who described them as unfair and called for a review to ensure equal opportunities for students. The issue also prompted wider discussion, with some stakeholders echoing these concerns while others supported the ministry’s initial decision on social media.