Majlis Member Maaroof Warns School Budget Crisis Forcing Reliance on Parents and Teachers

Maaroof Zakir, Member of the People’s Majlis for the Kandhu constituency, today voiced serious concerns over the financial state of schools in the Maldives. Speaking during the Monday sitting of the People’s Majlis while debating an amendment bill to the Education Act, Maaroof stated that schools are facing a severe budget deficit and lack basic supplies. He claimed that the government is freezing the education budget under the guise of cutting expenses, forcing schools to rely on fundraising by parents and teachers to hold any additional activities, including sports events, school annual days, and award ceremonies. Maaroof further alleged that the government's efforts to reduce expenses are aimed at benefiting the personal matters of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, and expressed concern over how the budget allocated by the Majlis for the education sector is being used.