Nearly 5,000 Students Begin A-Level Exams Amid New Higher Secondary Reforms

Nearly 5,000 students across the Maldives have commenced this year’s A-Level examinations, marking a significant step in the government's broader strategy to reform higher secondary education. According to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Skills Development, 4,973 candidates are sitting for the exams across 53 centers nationwide. Of the total candidates, 3,284 students are taking their exams at four centers within the Malé area, while 1,689 students are distributed across 49 centers in the atolls. The examination period began on September 27 and is scheduled to conclude on October 30. Within this cohort, 2,263 students are specifically sitting for the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinations. This year's turnout reflects a growing trend in student retention following O-Levels. In 2023, only 2,100 students proceeded to A-Level studies out of 6,700 O-Level graduates. By 2025, that number rose to 3,200 out of 6,500 graduates. To sustain this growth, the government has implemented a pilot program in 23 schools outside the capital to increase the availability of Grade 11 and 12 education. These efforts are part of a five-year plan to fully integrate A-Level education as a seamless continuation of secondary schooling, eliminating the need for students to sit examinations as separate, isolated certifications. To provide greater flexibility, the government has also arranged for examinations to be conducted in both the October-November and May-June windows. Further diversifying the educational landscape, the government is developing two distinct pathways for higher secondary education. While the academic route remains central, a new vocational pathway has been introduced to equip students with practical skills. By offering specialized training programs, the state aims to ensure students are either prepared for specific university degrees or ready to enter the workforce immediately upon completing their higher secondary education.